Table of contents:
- So, what can be the causes of schizophrenia?
- 1. Genetic
- 2. Environmental influences
- 3. The chemical structure of the brain
- Consult a doctor
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves. People with schizophrenia appear to have lost touch with their real life because they find it difficult to distinguish between reality and their own thoughts.
In many cases, schizophrenia develops so slowly that a person does not know they have had the disorder for years. However, in other cases, the disorder can strike suddenly and develop rapidly.
People with schizophrenia often hallucinate, hear voices that are not there. Some even think that other people are reading their minds, controlling how they think, or planning something - especially bad intentions towards them.
So, what can be the causes of schizophrenia?
Until now it is not known what causes schizophrenia, but researchers believe that it is the influence of genetics, brain structures and chemicals, and the environment that contribute to the development of this disorder.
1. Genetic
Doctors do not think that there is a single gene that carries this disease in a person. On the contrary, doctors think there may be a gene mutation that puts a person at risk for schizophrenia.
If someone in your immediate family, such as your father, mother, sibling, has a history of mental disorders, your chances are 10% of your inherited genes. However, if both of your parents have it, you have a 40% chance of getting the inherited gene. An even greater likelihood is that if you have identical twins who have schizophrenia, there is a 50% chance of developing the disorder.
However, there are also many people who have schizophrenia who do not have a family history of the disease. Scientists think that in this case, there is a change or mutation in the gene that allows people without a family history of schizophrenia to develop the disease.
2. Environmental influences
It is important to understand that when schizofernia researchers use the term "environment," it means anything other than genes or genetic factors. Scientists try to understand the factors that define the environment as the cause of this mental disorder, ranging from the social environment, nutrition, hormonal, chemicals in the mother's womb during pregnancy, social dynamics, a person's stressful experiences, exposure to viruses, use of vitamins, drug users, even someone's education.
3. The chemical structure of the brain
Experts have compared the brain structure of people with schizofernia disorders with normal people in general. In people with schizophrenia, they find:
- The spaces in the brain called the ventricles appear larger
- The part of the brain associated with memory, namely the medial temporal lobe, is smaller in size
- There are fewer connectors between the brain cells
- Schizophrenics also tend to have differences in a brain chemical called neurotransmitters - which is responsible as a link between the brain to all neural networks and control of body functions.
Related research has found that the brain tissue in people with schizophrenia even exhibits different brain structures from birth.
Consult a doctor
People with schizophrenia are often not aware that they have a mental disorder that requires medical attention. If someone close to you has symptoms of schizophrenia, talk to them carefully about your concerns. You can provide encouragement and support to help consult a qualified doctor or mental health professional.
The role of family or closest friends is very helpful for schizophrenics to consult a doctor immediately so that it is quickly treated.
