Causes of Schizophrenia
Causes of Schizophrenia
Through research, doctors and scientists have found that schizophrenia can occur in a person through a variety of ways. Schizophrenia can be hereditary or passed down through genetics, if you have an immediate relative who suffers from schizophrenia there is a 10% chance of you inheriting it, but if both parents are affected it raises the percentage of you inheriting it to 40%. However hereditary account for all cases of schizophrenia as 60% of those who have schizophrenia, have no immediate relatives suffering from it. Scientists and doctors have come to affirm that people suffering from schizophrenia are very sensitive to dopamine (which is a neurotransmitter which allows nerve cells in the brain send messages back and forth to each other) or produce an excess of it, as an discrepancy of the balance of the chemical may affect how a person’s brain will react to stimuli. An abnormality with the brain is also a justified cause to how a person can contract schizophrenia as, through the imaging technology we have today, researchers have been able to study the brain structure, as well as brain functions of people who possess schizophrenia. It is through this that they have determined that a high percentage of individuals suffering from schizophrenia have slight abnormalities in terms of brain structure. It includes a subtle augmentation of the ventricles in the brain and some of the areas in the brain are smaller than they are meant to be. Some researches have also come to the conclusion that complications during pregnancy; in the form of infection or malnutrition and birthing, could increase the percentage of the child acquiring schizophrenia. The misuse of drugs was related to schizophrenia by some researchers. It is believed that misuse of substances may worsen the symptoms of schizophrenia and may delay the treatment process.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
The symptoms of schizophrenia differ from person to person, and will materialize abruptly or progressively. The symptoms generally start to emerge between 15-35 years of age, and while affects both genders uniformly, males often show the symptoms earlier. Generally, at the beginning the symptoms are often very mild, i.e. tension, loss of concentration and drive, being unable to sleep, and a loss of social interest. Through the progression of the illness, those that have schizophrenia experience hallucinations or illusions, delusions, disordered thinking, and lack of emotional expression as well as inappropriate or exaggerated reactions. These are grouped through positive symptoms (unusual additional or excessive experiences or behaviour), negative symptoms (stable symptoms that are generally the absence of normal thoughts or behaviour) and Catatonia + Inappropriate Affect (symptoms that don not fit under negative or positive). Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thoughts, whereas negative symptoms include lack of expression, apathy (being unmotivated), Anhedonia (lack of pleasure), inattention and speaking difficulties. Catatonia +inappropriate affect includes catatonia (manic/repeated gestures, grimaces or unusual facial expressions), catatonic immobility (a statue like state), and inappropriate reactions. Hallucinations and illusions are extremely common abnormalities in perception in relation to schizophrenia. Hallucinations are notions not supported by a connection to a source, and can come in any form of the senses. Delusions are fictitious paradigm concerning one’s self or life, these ideals govern the person’s mind. Disorder thinking is when a person finds it problematic to think rationally or with reason, because of this their speech can become unintelligible. Some people with schizophrenia don’t display or have difficulties displaying normal emotions. Inappropriate reactions are what the name implies, when you react inappropriately to a situation.