The Nature and Characteristics of Schizoid Essay Example for Free

The Nature and Characteristics of Schizoid Essay Abstract Eugen Bleuler first used the term â€Å"Schizoid† in 1908 and described it as â€Å"a human tendency to direct attention toward ones inner life and away from the external world†. Schizoid Personality Disorder (SPD) is characterized by a lack of interest in any form of social relationship, a solitary lifestyle, and secretness. People with SPD are often indifferent, which can cause interpersonal difficulty. Individuals with the disorder may have trouble voicing their opinions when faced with unfavorable situations, and most often remain passive about many issues. Communication with others can be awkward and lack sincere meaning. As a result, they are not able to accurately understand how others think of them, and know how well they are getting along with others. This can lead to a feeling of severe self-consciousness and paranoia. Schizoid Personality Disorder: The Nature of Schizoid Personality Disorder The American Psychiatric Association (2008) reports that the prevalence in the general population of schizoid personality disorder (SPD) in the general population is less than 2%. Other studies have found a community prevalence of 5.1% in the United States. There is an increased prevalence of schizoid personality disorder in relatives of people with schizophrenia, as well as those who have been sexually abused as a child. The DSM classifies Schizoid Personality Disorder as: â€Å"A. A pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of expression of emotions in interpersonal settings, beginning by early adulthood (age eighteen or older) and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following: Neither desires nor enjoys relationships or human interaction, including being part of a family Almost always chooses solitary activities Has little, if any, interest in having sexual experiences with another person Takes pleasure in few, if any, activities with other people Lacks close friends or confidants other than first-degree relatives Appears indifferent to the praise or criticism of others Shows emotional coldness, detachment, or flattened affect B. Does not occur exclusively during the course of schizophrenia, a mood disorder with psychotic features, another psychotic disorder, or a pervasive developmental disorder and is not due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition.† Though there are several methods of treatment, most doctors suggest a short-term therapy/medication treatment, as long term can be difficult for the patient to remain motivated to continue returning and having unwanted social interaction. Seeing a psychologist allows the patient to open up and possibly become more comfortable with interpersonal communication, enabling a more personable identity. Those with SPD may demonstrate a vivid and wild fantasy life, and attain hobbies according to such. Things like video games, drawing, photography, and other solo activities are what interest SPD victims the most. Someone with SPD doesnt go out to social events, have intimate relationships, or even have many friends. Social interaction like that just isnt appealing to patients with SPD. They may never live a completely normal life with friends, a spouse, and other people to communicate with. However, this does not mean they arent happy. People with Schizoid rarely ever describe their life as â€Å"dull† or â€Å"boring†. Some patients tell of the immense pleasure they receive when making a job well done and finishing their work. Many are workaholics, and pour their heart and soul into every step of their careers. People with SPD are much more of a benefit to our society than some people may realize. Without the constant distraction of friends, relationships, and social events, they are able to concentrate on the task at hand. Whether it be a career or a simple arts and crafts project, concentration and focus go uninterrupted and can lead to a job very well done. I chose this topic because I had no idea what it was, and I wanted to learn more about it. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Over the last few weeks I have been constantly studying this disorder and trying to get into the mind of someone with SPD. At first, it seemed hopeless. I couldnt seem to understand the idea of not having friends, or having never had a girlfriend. Social interaction like that had always been given in my life, and I couldnt imagine doing without. After further thought, however, I came to the conclusion that not only did they not want a physical relationship with others, they felt no need. If one can become completely content without the attention of others, then why bother yourself with the distraction? Though I havent personally spoken with someone with SPD, this is how I understand it. I feel as though they not only have no desire, they feel no need. Simple as that. A case study I found involved a middle-aged man named Mark and a peek into his life. He tells of his career, hobbies, and relationship with his family. â€Å"â€Å"Mark sits where instructed, erect but listless. When I ask him how he feels about attending therapy, he shrugs and mumbles OK, I guess. He rarely twitches or flexes his muscles or in any way deviates from the posture he has assumed early on. He reacts with invariable, almost robotic equanimity to the most intrusive queries on my part. He shows no feelings when we discuss his uneventful childhood, his parents (of course I love them), and sad and happy moments he recollects at my request. Mark veers between being bored with our encounter and being annoyed by it. How would he describe his relationships with other people? He has none that he can think of. In whom does he confide? He eyes me quizzically: confide? Who are his friends? Does he have a girlfriend? No. He shares pressing problems with his mother and sister, he finally remembers. When was the last time he spoke to them? More than two years ago, he thinks.He doesnt seem to feel uneasy when I probe into his sex life. He smiles: no, he is not a virgin. He has had sex once with a much older woman who lived across the hall in his apartment block. That was the only time, he found it boring. He prefers to compile computer programs and he makes nice money doing it. Is he a member of a team? He involuntarily recoils: no way! He is his own boss and likes to work alone. He needs his solitude to think and be creative.Thats precisely why he is here: his only client now insists that he collaborates with the IT department and he feels threatened by the new situation. Why? He ponders my question at length and then: I have my working habits and my long-established routines. My productivity depends on strict adherence to these rules. Has he ever tried to work outside his self-made box? No, he hasnt and has no intention of even trying it: If it works dont fix it and never argue with success.If he is such a roaring success what is he doing on my proverbial couch? He acts indifferent to my barb but subtly counterattacks: Thought Id give it a try. Some people go to one type of witch doctor, I go to another.Does he have any hobbies? Yes, he collects old sci-fi magazines and comics. What gives him pleasure? Work does, he is a workaholic. What about his collections? They are distractions. But do they make him happy, does he look forward to the time he spends with them? He glowers at me, baffled: I collect old magazines. he explains patiently How are old magazines supposed to make me happy?. †Ã¢â‚¬  As clearly demonstrated above, this patient displays no interest toward others socially. Though he has had an intimate relationship in the past, his concentration now pertains to his work and his sole hobby of collecting magazines. A workaholic, he prefers to work in solitude, as that is the only way he can think and be creative. His disbanded relationship with his family shows that even those supposed to be most important in ones life hold little to no importance. A seemingly uneventful life of routine is made enjoyable by his passion and innovation for his career. Without the distraction of social relationships, he is able to connect with his work and focus at a higher level. SPD not only allows for a better concentration level, it enables the patient to think more clearly, and with a better focus. As stated above, his life is almost completely centered around his career, something he seems to be rather proud of. Taking pleasure in his job lets him feel comfortable with his lifestyle and content with the choices he has made. In two separate studies, prisoners were examined on the validity of SPD. 556 male jail inmates in the United States participated in Study 1; 175 mentally disordered offenders in maximum security hospitals in the United Kingdom participated in Study 2. On both studies, scores on the Interpersonal Measure of Schizoid Personality Disorder (IM-SZ) showed reliability and patterns of correlations with other measures consistent with expectations. The scale displayed patterns of relatively specific correlations with interview and self-report measures of SZPD. In addition, the IM-SZ correlated in an expected manner with features of antisocial personality and with interpersonal behavior. In another study, 10 male individuals diagnosed with SPD were placed in a room together. Their behavior was recorded and later compared to an experiment under the same circumstances only with 10 seemingly normal men. The test subjects with SPD did not interact with one another for an entire half hour, until one of the men fell out of his chair and one of his colleagues helped him to his feet. This was a blind experiment, where the men involved did not know the others suffered from the same ailment. The men in the control group were quiet at first, but after the first 5 minutes they were all communicating with one another, talking about sports, family, and relationships. Works Cited Thylstrup, Birgitte. (2009). American Journal of Psychotherapy. Retrieved May 3, 2012 http://0-web.ebscohost.com.iii.sonoma.edu/ehost/detail?vid=3hid=122sid=d673d133-4e90-4a0f-bcd4-93fdeb342a77%40sessionmgr110bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=aphAN=43741388 Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010). Schizoid Personality Disorder. Retrieved May 2, 2012 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/schizoid-personality-disorder/DS00865 Amal Chakraburtty, MD. (2009). Schizoid Personality Disorder. Retrieved May 2, 2012 http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-schizoid-personality-disorder Psych Central Staff. (2009). Schizoid Personality Disorder. Retrieved May 4, 2012 http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx30.htm American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Schizoid Personality Disorder. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. Mike Martinez. (2012) Schizoid. Retrieved May 4, 2012 http://www.schizoids.info/ Burntt, George. (2008). Schizoid Personality Disorder. Retrieved May 1, 2012 http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-pe02.html lais MA, Smallwood P, Groves JE, Rivas-Vazquez RA. (2011). Schizoid Personality Disorder. Retrieved May 4, 2012 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000920.htm Grohl, J.M. (2010). Schizoid Personality Disorder. Retrieved May 2, 2012. http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/schizoid-personality-disorder

the russian americans :: essays research papers fc

The Russian-Americans As of the last released comprehensive United States Census listing all nationalities, in 1990, there were over two million people claiming Russian ancestry living in America. Not included in this number was over one million people who were born in Russia. Sixty-six thousand entered the U.S. between 1980 and 1990 over 120,000 entered before 1980, slightly over 123,000 were naturalized citizens, and over 71,000 were not considered citizens of the United States. When it comes to income and occupation the Russian-American ranks higher on the socio-economic ladder then many minorities. When it comes to occupations over half of the Russian population is in the managerial or professional field, while another third of the population works in sales. The rest of the population works in the service or labor field with the smallest bit of the population being farmers, .6 percent. In correlation the median income of a Russian-American is over 45,000 dollars, only 3.6 percent of the population lives in poverty. This can be a direct correlation to the educational attainment of the Russian-Americans 90 percent graduate high school, 49 percent have a bachelors degree, and 24 percent have a graduate degree. This is one of the highest percentages of any group that has come to the United States, except some of the Asian countries. The Russians started to look for the American dream in the seventeenth century when Semen Dezhnev set out to find a route through the Bering Straight, although he never made it anywhere close to the United States, he did find the Northern-most point of Siberia, which is named after him. The next expedition was launched by Vitus Bering, and although he died while searching for America some of his crewmates did find the Aleutian islands and started the fur rush of 1973. In two years many fur industries were set up and people started to establish small communities in Alaska. In 1794 eight monks arrived to one of those small towns, Kodiak and started a Russian Orthodox mission. In seventy years when Alaska was sold to the U.S. the Orthodox religion was so ingrained into the people that it was, and still is the predominant religion in the area. After the sale of Alaska, the immigration of Russians slowed until the beginning of the twentieth century and the beginning of Communism is Russia. In the beginning it was mostly laborers and farmers and then came the former Russian army and naval officers, highly qualified engineers and scientists, actors and composers, musicians and painters, and a number of world-famous singers and ballet dancers.

Harlem Renaissance with Langston Hughes Essay

The Harlem Renaissance brought about uniqueness amongst African Americans; everything was new. The visual art, the jazz music, fashion and literature took a cultural spin. During this time writer Langston Hughes seemed to outshine the rest with amazing works. The Harlem Renaissance brought about many great changes. It was a time for expressing the African American culture. It is variously known as the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Literary Renaissance, or the New Negro Movement. Many famous people began their writing or gained their recognition during this time. The Harlem Renaissance took place during the 1920’s and 1930’s. â€Å"This movement known collectively as the Harlem Renaissance developed at the end of World War I in 1918, blossomed in the mid- to late 1920s, and faded in the mid 1930s. This movement developed along with social and intellectual disturbance in the African American community in the early 20th century.†[1] The Harlem Renaissance also led to a declined era called the Great Depression. They also migrated to avoid terrorism, unending debts, and the poor living conditions of southern sharecropping. During that time, hundreds and thousands of educated and intellectual African Americans moved from financial depressed, low budget rural south to industrial cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and especially New York City, to take advantage of the job opportunities created by World War I. As more and more blacks settled in the neighborhood of Harlem, New York, it became a political and cultural place for black America; Harlem became a black neighborhood. â€Å"As a result of this great collective body of African Americans coming together, the variety of talents among them, the creativity they offered each other, and the dynamics of their new found existence, created a rebirth for African Americans, now known as The Harlem Renaissance.†[2] Many things came about during the Harlem Renaissance; things such as jazz and blues, poetry, dance, and musical theater. The African American way of life became the popular thing. Many white people came to discover this newest art, dancing, music, and literature. The Great Migration of African American people from the rural South to the North, and many into Harlem were the cause of this occurrence. The Great Migration was the movement of two million blacks out of the Southern United States to the Midwest, Northeast and West from 1910 to 1930. African Americans migrated to escape racism and prejudice in the South, as well as to seek jobs in industrial cities. Pan-africanism is a movement to unify African Americans into one community. America during this time begins to see this happening in Harlem. Harlem was originally a Dutch settlement. Harlem became one of the largest African American communities in the United States, and during the Harlem Renaissance became a center for art and literature. Many great writers came about during this time, one of which was Langston Hughes. Hughes was born in 1902 with the name James Langston Hughes, and died in 1967. He lived most of his adult life in Harlem. He grew up without a stable family environment. His father moved to Mexico, and he never really saw much of him. Hughes was often referred to as â€Å"Harlem’s poet.†[3] Hughes had and still has a great influence on poetry. Hughes poetry was a reflection of the African-American culture and Harlem. He wrote many poems, and continued to write even after the Harlem Renaissance. He loved Harlem that was his home. He watched it decline with the onset of the Great Depression. He saw Harlem turn into a place to be feared by many. It was a sad and dangerous place to be, after the depression. Hughes described the impact of the Great Depression among African Americans, â€Å"The depression brought everyone down a peg or two. And the Negro had but a few pegs to fall.†[4] The Harlem Renaissance was important because it was the first time that the mainstream publishers and critics took African American literature seriously. Although it was primarily a literarily movement, it was closely related to music, theater, art, and politics. The Harlem Renaissance brought about many great changes. Many famous people began their writing or gained their recognition during this period. Langston Hughes valued the teaching of children. Many of his poems are children’s poems. He often traveled to schools and read his poetry. His first published works were in a children’s magazine during the 1920’s. He published a book of ABC’s called The Sweet and Sour Animal Book. He wanted to inspire the youth, and make them feel good about themselves. He did not only write poetry, but that is what he is famous for. Much of his poetry talks of the hardships, poverty, inequality, etc. of the African-American people. His work has inspired many people, and is read by many students and scholars. He is a great positive role model. I personally love his poetry. It describes these problems within our society that still have yet to be resolved. It opens the reader’s eyes to the many disadvantages that many people have suffered through and are still trying to overcome. Langston Hughes is probably the most influential and remembered poet of the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes writes about how the African-American people have been all over the world. In â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers† he talks about them bathing in the Euphrates, building huts by the Congo, and singing of the Mississippi. I think that this poem is showing how these people are everywhere. In America we act as if they are lesser, but he is saying to the white people, look at all my race has accomplished. For example, â€Å"We† built the pyramids, and we have been around as long as these rivers. This poem is meant to be positive. It does not talk directly about racism or puts down the white race for being prejudiced. In the poem, â€Å"I, Too† he describes how he is also part of what America is. Even if he is sent to eat in the kitchen, he is as much a part of America as anyone else. It shows that one day he will not be made to hide and eat in the kitchen. One day people will see that African Americans are beautiful people, and will be ashamed of how they were treated. This poem gives hope to the black community. It makes them look forward to the day when equality will come and racism will end. â€Å"Too bad that the day has still not yet come in this century.†[5] In his poem, â€Å"Harlem† this issue is addressed. He wonders what happens to dreams that are postponed. He feels that how long one must still dream of something that seems like it will never come. The African American people have been waiting to be seen as equal for several years, yet it still seems as though it will not happen. In â€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,† a young Negro poet said, â€Å"I want to be a poet-not a Negro poet.†[6] It also describes how many middle class blacks tried to be more like a â€Å"white† person. To disown their heritage in a way and become part of white America, which wasn’t right. He talks about how they should learn to appreciate their diversity and their culture. The blacks should be proud of their individuality. He thinks that many blacks are taught by white teachers, see white books and pictures, white papers, and then want to be what they are seeing. The diversity of African American talent reached an all time along the path of generating rebirth to the nation during the Harlem Renaissance period of 1919 to 1940. There was an outburst of confidence, expression, creativity and talent. This collective outburst established a path for artistic cultural expression leading to social transformation for African Americans. As a result, Harlem became the â€Å"capital of the African American world†. The rebirth of African American culture was collected of clever works of art, uplifting and expressive poets, musicians of perfection, inspirational political activists, creative painters, inventive sculptors, creative thinking novelists, dramatic playwrights, visionary choreographers, natural actors, excellent journalists, and imaginative actors. Many of these African Americans have made unique and long-lasting contributions to African American history and became major icons of the American scene. Langston Hughes will always be known as a great poet who did so much to make his race move toward equality. He wrote many inspirational poems. He wanted to reach a younger generation and show them that they can be successful. He wanted the children to be proud of who they are, and to excel in literature. He was part of something great. That something great was the Harlem Renaissance. It was a time of change, a time of happiness for the most part. It was a time when many people realized that there were many talented African Americans. Also it was a time for new things and a new way of doing things. Jazz and Blues became popular. White people came to Harlem to see how blacks danced, and what music they listened to. Harlem became a very trendy place. The arts increased all around Harlem. People were having fun. This influenced many people and ways that still are around today. The influence of the music can still be heard in some of our music today. Many authors today were inspired by those of the Harlem Renaissance. It was a great time for the African American community, but at the same time it caused fighting between the middle class and poorer blacks. The feeling of inequality still existed, but at least African Americans were finally getting some recognition for some of the amazing accomplishments that they have made. The Harlem Renaissance was a transitional moment in time when poetry transformed a nation of African Americans to ultimate heights. The Harlem Renaissance brought about uniqueness among African Americans; everything was new. Great names such as Langston Hughes paved the way for the future generations to follow.

The French Revolution Essay - 1630 Words

The French Revolution Why was there a French Revolution? This is a question of continual interests not only to professors and philosophers, but to everybody who takes an interests in the history of the world. Genuinely, therefore, it is also a subject of much contention. The statement citing the fundamental cause of the French Revolution as the collision between a powerful rising Bourgeoisie and an ingrained aristocracy, defending its privileges it had for centuries, has great relevance in reiterating the great conflict of 1789. However, it was the financial debt of the government, and the financial crisis it caused, which was at root of the actual course to revolution. Many factors played a role in the economic†¦show more content†¦They had the right to ascendancy on public occasions, the right to exercise seigniorial rights over most of the lands they did not own, the right to wear a sword in public, and, most importantly, the exemption from taxes. The third estate could have been broken down into two categories. One was a new middle class that emerged during the Louis XVI era, called the Bourgeoisie. The rest of the estate were poor peasants and artisans that -3- made up about ninety-six percent of Frances entire population. The Bourgeoisise were highly educated bankers and investors, or other business elites. They made their money in refining and processing plants, finance and insurance, and other advanced industries. A good share of the nations debt was due to the uneven taxation of the estates. The nobles were exempt from the main direct tax, or taille, as were the clergy. That meant most of the burden lay on the third estate, who also possessed the least amount of wealth. The Bourgeois were wealthy and were able to afford such taxation, but nonetheless, their aim was civil equality and to destroy the tax privileges of the nobility and clergy. The peasants, too, were laden with extensive amounts of taxation that was nearly impossible for them to pay. Burrowing France deeper into debt and economic crisis was the persistent drought followed by massive storms, ravaging theShow MoreRelatedThe French Revolution And French Revolutions2006 Words   |  9 PagesAlthough the American and French revolutions both took place in the late 18th century, both fought for independence, and both portrayed patriotism, the revolutions are markedly different in their origins; one which led to the world’s longest lasting democracy and the other to a Napoleonic Dictatorship. Political revolutions in America and France happened because people felt dissatisfied with the way their country was run. 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