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A schizophrenic’s brain is very different than the brain of a person uninhibited by the disorder. Schizophrenia is a very common disease in today’s society. Schizophrenia can occur in many different ways. Current research explains the disorder, how it affects the brain, and how medication, such as haloperidol, helps sufferers maintain mental stability. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. The person finds it difficult to tell the difference between real and imagined experiences, to think logically to express feelings, or to behave appropriately. There are medicines that are given to calm this disorder down like haloperidol. Certain people with schizophrenia hear internal voices that may really not be there or can not be seen by the normal eye. This can cause the particular schizophrenic to be withdrawn. They can also have trouble separating their thoughts and expressing their self. Schizophrenia can also frighten people that do not know how to deal with their situation. Schizophrenia is a very misunderstood illness. “About every 1 out of 100 people is affected by population” (Colemen, 2010). Any race and any culture can obtain this disorder. Certain people call schizophrenics split- minded. The "split mind" refers to the way that people with schizophrenia are split off from reality; they cannot tell what is real and what is not real.” “Schizophrenia does "run in the family." In other words, schizophrenia has an important genetic component.” Disorganized Thinking/Speech Abnormal thoughts are usually measured by disorganized speech. “Schizophrenia symptoms include difficulty thinking coherently, interacting with others normally, carrying out responsibilities and expressing emotions appropriately.” (Nemade 2009). People with schizophrenia speak very little; others have speech that is disjointed. Sometimes the person will change the topic midway through a sentence” (Colemen, 2010). “Also, ten years after initial diagnosis, approximately fifty percent of people diagnosed with schizophrenia are either noted to be completely recovered or improved to the point of being able to function independently.” “Twenty five percent are improved, but require a strong support network, and an additional fifteen percent remain unimproved and are typically hospitalized.” “Unfortunately, ten percent of the affected population sees no way out of their pain except through death and ends up committing suicide” “As a group, their life expectancy is reduced due to suicide, accidents, and otherwise preventable diseases (that were not prevented due to poor self-care, unhealthy lifestyles, and inadequate medical care)” (Nemade 2009). “The human brain is made up of billions of nerve cells.” “These cells communicate by releasing chemicals known as neurotransmitters.” “Two neurotransmitters that are needed for brain function are dopamine and serotonin, which play a crucial role in emotional health.” “Many scientists believe that when the levels of these neurotransmitters aren’t quite right, it may result in the symptoms of Schizophrenia.” “For instance, too much dopamine in certain parts of the brain can cause symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.” “Sometimes, these symptoms are referred to as the “positive symptoms” of Schizophrenia.” “Too little dopamine in other parts of the brain can cause symptoms such as a lack of emotion, lack of energy, and lack of motivation.” “These symptoms are often called the “negative symptoms” of Schizophrenia” (Aug. 2010). “Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder affecting one in 100 people worldwide.” “Most cases aren't detected until a person starts experiencing symptoms like delusions and hallucinations as a teenager or adult.” “By that time, the disease has often progressed so far that it can be difficult to treat” Gillmore 2010). Haloperidol is the main medication that is used to treat schizophrenics. They take Haloperidol, so they can attempt to think and react clearly to everyday decisions that are normally made. Haloperidol is a very strong medication that is given to many schizophrenics to help them gain mental stability. “Haldol tablets, liquid and injection contain the active ingredient haloperidol.” “Haloperidol is a type of medicine known as an antipsychotic.” “It is used in the treatment of various psychiatric illnesses. (NB. Haloperidol is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.)” “When used in psychiatric illness, haloperidol is sometimes described as a neuroleptic or a 'major tranquillizer', though this last term is fairly misleading, as this type of medicine is not just a tranquillizer, and any tranquillizing effect is not as important as the main way it works in psychiatric illness.” “Haloperidol works by blocking a variety of receptors in the brain, particularly dopamine receptors.” “Dopamine is a natural compound called a neurotransmitter, and is involved in transmitting messages between brain cells.” “Dopamine is a neurotransmitter known to be involved in regulating mood and behavior, amongst other things.” “Psychotic illness, and particularly schizophrenia, is considered to be caused by over activity of dopamine in the brain.” “Haloperidol blocks the receptors that dopamine acts on and this prevents the over activity of dopamine in the brain. This helps to control psychotic illness.” “Haloperidol improves disturbed thoughts, feelings and behavior in various mental conditions, including schizophrenia, mania, and behavioral disorders that involve aggression or severe agitation or excitement.” “It produces a calming effect and controls aggression, delusions and hallucinations.” “Haloperidol is used in the long-term management of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia.” “It is also used in the short-term to manage severe anxiety and severely agitated, violent or dangerous behavior.” “Haloperidol is also used to treat Tourette's syndrome, which is a condition involving involuntary muscle twitching and uncontrollable urges to utter obscene words or other noises.” “Haloperidol also affects dopamine receptors in an area of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting” (Janssen, 1998).