Schizophrenia

Blockbuster Powerpoint

1. Schizophrenia The Soloist

2. Psychology Basis

3. Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is defined as a long term mental disorder that is a dysfunction in the relationship between behavior, emotions, actions, and feelings resulting in the withdraw from relationships and reality. Consequences of Schizophrenia if left untreated can cause severe behavioral, emotional, and physical problems that have a drastic impact on every area of the person’s life.

4. Characteristics of Schizophrenia 1. Delusions Beliefs that conflict with reality. 2. Hallucinations Hallucinations are the false perception of the senses including hearing, seeing, touching, and smell. For example, a person might hear voices. 3. Disorganized thought 4. Disorganized speech

5. Media

6. The Soloist Steve Lopez Steve Lopez is a Los Angeles Times columnist. He come in contact with a homeless schizophrenic musician and seizes the opportunity for a fascinating article. Steve developed a relationship with the musician and this resulted in him wanting to help the individual.

7. The Soloist Nathaniel Ayers Nathaniel Ayers is a talented musician with Schizophrenia. He lived on the streets of Los Angeles. He attended Julliard for two years before dropping out. His unusual story sparked the interest of Columnist Steve Lewis.

8. The Soloist In the movie The Soloist, a Los Angeles columnist was interested in a talented musician that attended Julliard and was currently homeless. He soon found out that Nathaniel, the musician, had a mental disorder later diagnosed as Schizophrenia. Steve became very involved in Nathaniel's musical career and his life in general. He helped Nathaniel find a home and resources.

9. Connection When Nathaniel first started showing signs of Schizophrenia towards the end of his second year at Julliard, he called his mother informing her that, “I’m not always so sure I know what’s going on.” As a response, his mother Flora said, “You going to be fine.” In which Nathaniel responded that “it’s so frightening, and I’m having trouble differentiating certain things. Keeping things separated.”

10. Connection Previously, Nathaniel heard voices and had visual hallucinations when he staying indoors from that time on he was scared and anxious to live inside a building. In the movie, it showed Nathaniel pacing, crying and distressed while trying to stay in his new apartment. Nathaniel could not cope in that situation.

11. Connection Steve provided the much needed support for Nathaniel. He found resources to get him off the streets.

12. Connection/Validity In this movie, Nathaniel started having symptoms of Schizophrenia while attending Julliard in his college years. It is common for men to start showing symptoms of Schizophrenia between the ages of 16-30 years old.

13. Connection/Validity This movie represented symptoms of Schizophrenia well. The behavioral outbursts and hallucinations were exhibited in the film frequently.

14. Connection/Validity The reactions that occur to hallucinations were accurate in the movie.