Birth Order and Schizophrenia Study First Born Children and Schizophrenia Introduction Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder characterized by the following symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, lack of emotion, withdrawal, and disorganized speech. It has been found through much research that a crucial element to this disease is interpersonal relationship, especially with family. Certain aspects of the family such as the size of family, birth order, and gender distribution determine how the interpersonal relationships will be carried out. Studies have shown that first born children have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia due to the stressful life situations they face that their younger siblings may not. Birth Order and Schizophrenia Study A study done in Ranchi, India by Dr. Sharadamba Rao investigated the relationship between birth order and schizophrenia. Patients who were admitted into the Ranchi Manasik Arogyshala had their case histories examined, with special attention directed to birth order and diagnosis. The sample was picked from men and women admitted from 1959 to 1960, between the ages 15 and 45 years old, in a family of eight or less. The results of this study indicated that “the first or second born would seem more vulnerable” to developing schizophrenia or having a schizophrenic episode. Signs and Symptoms Positive Signs Negative signs Delusions (rigid, bizarre, irrational beliefs) Hallucinations (sensory experiences in the absence of actual stimuli) Disorganized speech (jumbled speech or speech convey little information) Inappropriate affect (showing emotions that do not suit a given situation) Catatonia (severe restriction of movement or extreme excitability) Alogia (speaking very little to others) Avolition (inability or unwillingness to engage in goal-directed activities) Anhedonia (lack of pleasure or interest in life activities) Flat affect (showing little emotion in different situations) Lack of insight (poor awareness of one’s mental condition) Treatments Schizophrenia is best treated with a combination of therapy and medication. Medication for schizophrenia is often called antipsychotics; they are divided into two categories: typical and atypical. Typical psychotics aim to reduce dopamine in the brain and are great for treating positive symptoms; however, they do not treat negative symptoms and there are extremely unpleasant side effects such as tremors and restlessness. Atypical antipsychotics address negative symptoms. The best therapy for schizophrenics is cognitive-behavioral therapy. In this type of therapy patients learn to challenge delusions and hallucinations. Also in this therapy patients are given rewards for doing social activities or self-care skills such as getting dressed grooming. References Rao, Sharadamba. "Birth Order and Schizophrenia." The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 138 (1964): 87-89. Print. Kearney, Christopher A., and Timothy J. Trull. Abnormal Psychology and Life: A Dimensional Approach. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.