mental health disorders
Schizophrenia
Causes of Schizophrenia
What precisely causes schizophrenia is not known, but current research suggests a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Fundamentally, however, it is a biologic problem (involving molecular and functional changes in the brain), although certain external factors such as major life stresses or Substance Use Disorders can serve as triggers. Factors that make people vulnerable to schizophrenia include the following: A genetic predisposition Problems that occurred before, during, or after birth, such as influenza in the mother during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, lack of oxygen during delivery, a low birth weight, and incompatibility of the mother’s and infant’s blood type Infections of the brain Cannabis use in early teen years People who have a parent or sibling with schizophrenia have about a 10% risk of developing the disorder, compared with a 1% risk among the general population. An identical twin whose co-twin has schizophrenia has about a 50% risk of developing schizophrenia. These statistics suggest that heredity is involved. 