Moviegoers recently received a crash course in understanding schizophrenia. A Beautiful Mind attracted large audiences and swept them into the world of John Nash, a Nobel Prize winner and sufferer of schizophrenia.
The film illuminated the mental disorder and helped remove the stigma associated with the disease. It also triggered a wave of questions regarding what now is being done to battle the illness.
Schizophrenia is a brain disorder shared by approximately 1 percent of the American population, rendering its victims dysfunctional and hindering their ability to take care of themselves and interact with others. Sufferers of this disease often are delusional and experience hallucinations.
William Parker Jr., University Neurology and Pediatrics Professor, is conducting research to understand better the mysteries of schizophrenia and other related mental illnesses.
"Reality testing breaks down and fantasy cannot be distinguished from reality. It is hard to function when operating inside of a delusional system," Parker said.
Parker's studies focus on understanding mental illness as a whole by identifying its underlying genetic basis. Schizophrenia is known as a "sporadic" disease because it isn't genetically inherited like other mental illnesses.
The precise cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but several theories exist. Genetic inheritance accounts for 50 percent of the cases, supporting the theory that there may be an underlying biological cause.
"Many diseases fit into the patterns of practical genetics, but there are other disorders that just come out of nowhere," Parker said.
Parker's research team is studying an unusual group of genes that aren't passed on to offspring in the usual way. Genes are the biological factors that determine characteristics like gender, hair color and height.
Preliminary data shows that this special group of genes may play a role in the inheritance patterns of schizophrenia. Parker's finding may usher in a new era of understanding for researchers grappling with this disease.
Parker analyzes schizophrenia by comparing it to other destructive mental illnesses and continues to focus on the special group of genes that may cause the disorder.
Parker is unsure of how much research lies ahead, but he believes that his theory may hold the key to developing better treatments.
"Once you really understand the underlying basis of the illness, then the possibility for a whole new slew of potentials for treatments will open up," Parker said.
"The overarching goal is to write the new rules for this kind of genetics," he added.
Parker said he believes many people are unaware of schizophrenia simply because they do not know somebody with the disorder. If this is true, increasing public awareness of the condition may speed up the process of finding a cure.
Sufferers of schizophrenia tend to drift out of common social circles, Parker said.
"Somebody that has schizophrenia does not hang out with the typical U.Va. student," he added.
Members of organizations such as the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill believe the media has an obligation to help educate the public about mental illness. NAMI works to bring about changes in legislation to improve the lives of the mentally ill and their families.
Stella March has been working with NAMI for 20 years and now is in charge of the public education component of the organization. She has a son with schizophrenia and felt that A Beautiful Mind really hit home.
"At last there is a film that tells a message that anyone can be hit with mental illness," March said.
March considers the best part of the film the message about schizophrenia that it delivers to its audiences.
"Because of the stigma associated with any mental illness, people affected rarely speak out about it," March said. "Our goal is to educate people, and this film does it."
Activists like March believe continued support for research and drug development is needed to combat schizophrenia.
Parker hopes his research will continue to move forward and that more efforts will be made to increase public awareness of mental disorders.
"I think the more that the world understands that mental illness is just as real as any other illness, the better off we all are," he said.
Read More
Student Council votes to relocate Hereford orchard and basketball hoop
By Lauren Seeliger | 2 hours agoStudent Council passed a resolution Tuesday to relocate the orchard and basketball hoop of Hereford Residential College due to construction in the surrounding area.
Dean Rucker honored with Z Society’s highest honor, Pale Z Award
By Brendon Bordwine | 19 hours agoThe Society has a storied history of honoring University leaders with the Pale Z.
Students receive free STI testing through U.Va. Health and Wellness
By Jackie Bond | YesterdayThrough funding from Student Council, students are now able to receive free STI testing with SHW which includes tests for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C.
