Schizophrenia is perhaps one of the most serious disorders in all of psychopathology. Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler first identified the disorder, regarding it as "an abnormal disintegration of mental functions". From the Greek schizo, "split" and phrene, "mind," schizophrenia is a group of severe disorders that uncovers psychotic and disorganized thoughts, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and actions within a person. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition (DSM-IV) defines schizophrenia as "a disorder diagnosed according to development of the following symptoms: hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, negative symptoms (including blunted affect, avolition, etc.)" and goes on to explain a mental disorder of this kind as:.
A clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in a person and that is associated with present distress or disability or with significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain, disability, or an important loss of freedom.
Nearly one in one hundred people worldwide will develop schizophrenia and almost five million Americans will need treatment for the disorder (Black and Andreason, 1994 in Gleitman, 1999, pg 771).
The first subtle signs and symptoms of schizophrenia may develop at adolescence, however, true diagnosis are usually made throughout the twenties, when the condition has become so severe that evaluations are required. Sufferers of schizophrenia experience disruptions in all aspects of their lives, including their cognition, their motives and emotions, and their social relationships (Glietman, 1999, pg 769). Symptoms include disorders of cognition and behavior, loss of personal contact, elaboration of the private world, disorders involving motivation and emotions.
A disarray in cognition is one of the most prevalent and apparent symptoms of schizophrenia.