Invitation to Psychology

Chapter 11 Psychological Disorders 407

and community programs (Harding, 2005; Hopper

et al., 2007; Jobe & Harrow, 2010). What kind of

mysterious disease could produce such a variety of

symptoms and outcomes?

Simulate the Experiment Schizophrenia

Overview at MyPsychLab

Origins of Schizophrenia LO 11.19

Researchers describe schizophrenia as a brain

disease, and indeed people with schizophrenia

Pogue-Geile, 2008), but the first full-blown psy-
chotic episode typically occurs in late adolescence
or early adulthood. In some individuals, the break-
down occurs suddenly; in others, it is more gradual,
a slow change in personality. The more breakdowns
and relapses the individual has had, the poorer the
chances for recovery. Yet, contrary to stereotype,
more than 40 percent of people with schizophrenia
do have one or more periods of recovery and go
on to hold good jobs and have successful relation-
ships, especially if they have strong family support

Bryan Charnley painted 17 self-portraits, with
comments reflecting his battle with schizophre-
nia. He painted the one above in March 1991,
when his mind was clear. In June, he committed
suicide.

April 20: “[I am feeling] paranoid. The person

upstairs was reading my mind and speaking

back to me to keep me in a sort of ego

crucifixion.... I felt this was because I was

discharging very strong vibrations.”

May 6: “I had no tongue, no real tongue, and
could only flatter.... The nail in the mouth
expresses this. The people around me cannot
understand how I was so stupid and cannot
forgive me.... Thus I am a target. The nails in
my eyes express that I cannot see whereas other
people seem to have extra sensory perception
and I am blind in this respect.”

May 18: “My mind seemed to be thought

broadcasting [and] it was beyond my will to do

anything about it. I summed this up by paint-

ing my brain as an enormous mouth.... The

trouble seemed to stem from a broken heart so I

painted a great mass of gore there.... I feel I am

giving off strong personality vibrations, hence

the wavy lines emanating from my head.”