TYPES OF PSYCHOSES
The psychoses may be classified as organic (with obvious brain damage) and functional (without discernible brain damage). The so-called functional psychoses are considered below.
Schizophrenia
This disease was formerly called dementia praecox (early loss of mind), because it often appears between the ages of 15 and 30. It is the type of psychosis most frequently seen. ‘Schizophrenia’ means ‘split mind,’ and indeed the individual suffering from it does not appear to be a whole person. The type of child most apt to develop this disease is usually shy, dreamy, and bored. Unable to cope with the world, he tends to withdraw from it, and the added difficulties of adolescence may drive him into a world of his own creating. Of course, a certain amount of daydreaming is perfectly normal, especially in adolescence.
Although certain types of schizophrenia respond more readily to treatment than do others, early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important.
Paranoia
This psychosis is also called monomania, delusional insanity, and persecutory insanity. The person suffering from it may sound and act fairly normal, although he is really very ill. Paranoia usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 50, particularly in people who have always been self-centred, jealous and suspicious. A person suffering from it becomes more and more deluded, seeing hidden meanings to support his conviction that he is being plotted against. This type of psychotic feels quite justified in defending himself by lawsuits or antisocial acts, including murder.
Manic-depressive psychosis
This disease is also called alternating insanity, because of the alternating periods of mania, with exaggerated feelings of elation and well-being, and melancholia, an equally exaggerated and groundless misery. During the manic stage, the person’s energy seems boundless; he may dash about talking gaily and wildly for 24 hours at a time. In his depressed state, he may sit or lie miserably, scarcely able to move or speak, wishing for death, which he sometimes seeks by very clever means.
Involutional melancholia
This name is applied to a state of depression that may occur during the change of life (menopause) in women and its emotional counterpart in men. It is always accompanied by the danger of suicide.
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