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What is Schizophrenia?
A chronic severe debilitating mental illness…
Schizophrenia is characterized by disordered thoughts, abnormal behaviors, and anti-social behaviors. It is a psychotic disorder meaning the person with schizophrenia does not identify with reality at times
Risk Factors
Several factors contribute to the risk of developing schizophrenia.
Genetics
Schizophrenia sometimes runs in families. However, it is essential to know that just because someone in a family has schizophrenia, it does not mean that other family members will have it as well. Genetic studies strongly suggest that many different genes increase the risk of developing schizophrenia but that no single gene causes the disorder by itself. It is not yet possible to use genetic information to predict who will develop schizophrenia.
Environment
Scientists think that interactions between genetic risk and aspects of an individual’s environment may play a role in the development of schizophrenia. Environmental factors involved include living in poverty, stressful surroundings, and exposure to viruses or nutritional problems before birth.
