Comments on: Schizophrenia and the Flu: Scientific American Reports http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/schizophrenia-flu/ Exploring Healthy Psychotherapy Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:50:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Ron Unger http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/schizophrenia-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-20801 Ron Unger Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:47:33 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/?p=3093#comment-20801 I think people who are most thoughtful about schizophrenia see it as one way the stress response can go wrong in humans, and see many things as possibly contributing. That includes genes, prenatal influences, but also life experiences - contrary to what Sue Sue says, there's lots of evidence that childhood sexual abuse for example greatly increases the risk of later psychosis and schizophrenia. I've heard that obsessive compulsive disorder is known to be more likely to occur after certain kinds of events affecting the immune system - but it is also a disorder that often responds well to psychotherapy. So just because a disorder is caused partly or even mostly by a biological cause, does not mean that psychotherapy can have no role in its remedy. I think people who are most thoughtful about schizophrenia see it as one way the stress response can go wrong in humans, and see many things as possibly contributing. That includes genes, prenatal influences, but also life experiences – contrary to what Sue Sue says, there’s lots of evidence that childhood sexual abuse for example greatly increases the risk of later psychosis and schizophrenia.

I’ve heard that obsessive compulsive disorder is known to be more likely to occur after certain kinds of events affecting the immune system – but it is also a disorder that often responds well to psychotherapy. So just because a disorder is caused partly or even mostly by a biological cause, does not mean that psychotherapy can have no role in its remedy.

]]> By: Samuel http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/schizophrenia-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-20650 Samuel Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:52:19 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/?p=3093#comment-20650 We rely too heavily on vaccines to boost our immunity as it stands. What happened before shots were so easy to come by? We've get the sniffles, spend a few days in bed feeling sorry for ourselves and it was over. We're pathetically weak now. We rely too heavily on vaccines to boost our immunity as it stands. What happened before shots were so easy to come by? We’ve get the sniffles, spend a few days in bed feeling sorry for ourselves and it was over. We’re pathetically weak now.

]]> By: Martha T. http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/schizophrenia-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-20572 Martha T. Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:32:00 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/?p=3093#comment-20572 If nothing else that research may provide some comfort to families seeking answers as to why schizophrenia has affected their family. If those findings are accurate and it's the response of the immune system that's the culprit, the CDC continuing to recommend flu shots to pregnant women when this is a possible outcome is very wrong. If nothing else that research may provide some comfort to families seeking answers as to why schizophrenia has affected their family. If those findings are accurate and it’s the response of the immune system that’s the culprit, the CDC continuing to recommend flu shots to pregnant women when this is a possible outcome is very wrong.

]]> By: Nikki http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/schizophrenia-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-20418 Nikki Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:52:17 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/?p=3093#comment-20418 This is so scary! I read every year about how devastating the flu is worldwide and yet we rarely see that kind of death here in the US. But now to think that it could be linked to future illnesses is beyond frightening. This is so scary! I read every year about how devastating the flu is worldwide and yet we rarely see that kind of death here in the US. But now to think that it could be linked to future illnesses is beyond frightening.

]]> By: sue sue http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/schizophrenia-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-20383 sue sue Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:10:20 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/?p=3093#comment-20383 Actually, my understanding is that most psychotherapists accept the fact the schizophrenia is a purely physiological organic disease, not one that is caused by a person’s experiences, learning, or environment... So, I don't think therapists will look at this news "grimly." Besides, therapists are still needed to help people with schizophrenia and their families, even if there assistant cannot "cure" the disease. Actually, my understanding is that most psychotherapists accept the fact the schizophrenia is a purely physiological organic disease, not one that is caused by a person’s experiences, learning, or environment… So, I don’t think therapists will look at this news “grimly.” Besides, therapists are still needed to help people with schizophrenia and their families, even if there assistant cannot “cure” the disease.

]]> By: hotspotshield http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/schizophrenia-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-20382 hotspotshield Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:06:21 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/?p=3093#comment-20382 Thank you very much for this summary! Thank you very much for this summary!

]]> By: JpJunior http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/schizophrenia-flu/comment-page-1/#comment-20381 JpJunior Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:41:06 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/?p=3093#comment-20381 thanks for reporting on this possibility.. seems reasonable and possible that a number of diseases, mental or not, might be triggered by a virus or bacteria... so much we don't know yet, sadly. thanks for reporting on this possibility.. seems reasonable and possible that a number of diseases, mental or not, might be triggered by a virus or bacteria… so much we don’t know yet, sadly.

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