Posted by Trans-Human on January 17, 2009, at 8:23:51
In reply to Re: Gene link: schizophrenia + Bipolar Disorder?, posted by linkadge on January 16, 2009, at 21:25:43
> There have been a number of recent studies, however, suggesting that there is a progressive loss of grey matter in schizohprenia. This is interesting because some of the genes associated with *certain forms* of schizophrenia are responsable for the production and maintainance of myelin.
>I do not think that there has been enough in the way of unbiased study & research into these matters. It is also very difficult to obtain accurate data on these subjects - for certain reasons which I will outline here -
In many studies of the brains of people with "Schizophrenia" - they have been treated with medications. There is a lot of evidence for the way psychiatric drugs alter brain structure & function. Lets have it right - anti psychotics work by altering the brain - it's chemical make up & operation. It is a lie to say these types of drugs correct any kind of chemical imbalance - they work in very crude ways; & it is more accurate to say they cause chemical imbalance & brain abnormality.
Those classed as having "Schizophrenia" & who are never treated with medication, & who never have any other kind of treatment also show signs of brain abnormalities & damage. However - these findings need to be balanced with the groups of people who have had effective & comprehensive psychological help. Outlined in the Diabasis & Soteria Projects (To name two). The only way to gain a half accurate picture is to make comparisons between all three groups.
I would strongly assume & conclude that the best prognosis & those having best overall brain function is made by those having had "comprehensive psychological help in a therapeutic environment", followed by med treated, & those faring most poorly are those with no treatment.
In my own life - from an orthodox psychiatric perspective - I am classed as suffering from "paranoid schizophrenia", & have been for 20 years. On two occasions I was able to successfully stop all psychiatric medication for long periods of time.
After being placed on high doses of meds 10 odd years ago - I came off the meds after a year & then returned to a very minimal dose; which I have been on since. Over this time; overall functioning has improved. I would consider that my IQ is higher now than it ever was - & I have an above normal intelligence. I also know a number of people in my life, & on-line who have been diagnosed with "schizophrenia" & are living full lives, completely med free - without psychotic symptoms.How are these things possible from the perspective of the idea that "Schizophrenia" is a progressive & incurable brain disease? It doesn't make sense to see it that way. Current understandings around mental illness & Schizophrenia; acknowledge the very real realities of recovery & remission.
http://www.freedom-center.org/pdf/britishpsychologicalsocietyrecentadvances.pdf
> In genuine mental illness however, there could be a reduced capacity for the brain to repair itself after stressfull events.Could be? - or maybe not. Cutting edge understandings in brain function are acknowledging & realising the incredible capacity for the brain to regenerate & it's plasticity; even in severe mental illness.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroplasticity
Or Google the term Neuroplasticity & Brain Plasticity.
Jung, after many years of clinical experience concluded:
I have now, after long practical experience, come to hold the view that the psychogenic causation of the disease is more probable than the toxic [physico-chemical] causation. There are a number of mild and ephemeral but manifestly schizophrenic illnesses - quite apart from the even more common latent psychoses - which begin purely psychogenically, run an equally psychological course (aside from certain presumably toxic nuances) and can be completely cured by a purely psychotherapeutic procedure. I have seen this even in severe cases.
I for one am going with Jung on this.
poster:Trans-Human
thread:874305
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/874483.html