Achyut Iyengar

Schizophrenia in Modern Times

Started June 16, 2021

Abstract or project description

This project is a review article about the overall evolution of schizophrenia. In my research, I reviewed literature about schizophrenia as a whole as well as its portrayal in the media, the various symptoms, and the medical diagnoses over time. While reading through this literature, I observed achievements in the medical field in treating schizophrenia as well the changes in society's viewpoint of schizophrenia and mental health as a whole. I found historical portrayals of mental illnesses similar to schizophrenia through classic literature, historical accounts, and experiments conducted by medical professionals. I also explored the idea of stigmatization of mental illnesses and how over time, the creation of outlets like social media has impacted the public's perspective on such illnesses as well as the ways it can help fix this issue through accurately educating those who misunderstand the importance of mental health. Along with these ideas, I looked into new studies that could potentially change the medical standpoint of the treatment of mentally ill people as well as ways to avoid developing such ailments by reaching out to medical professionals for help. The observations made by medical professionals using MRI and PET scans in the brain were also part of my research as they helped showcase the neurological changes that occur due to the development of schizophrenia and similar mental conditions. Through this combination of physical as well as emotional accounts, I was able to map the overall evolution of schizophrenia from its first historical account to its portrayal in today's society.