SCHIZOPHRENIA [SKIZOFRENIA]

8. [ENG] Causes of Schizophrenia

A combination of genetic factors and environmental factors play a role in the development of schizophrenia. Someone with a history of schizophrenia in families suffering from transient psychosis or self-limitation has a 20-40% chance of being diagnosed one year later.

Genetics

Estimates of heritability vary due to difficulties in separating effects caused by genetic and environmental factors. The biggest risk of developing schizophrenia is the presence of first-degree sibling relationships with the disease (the risk is 6.5%); more than 40% of monozygotic twins from schizophrenics are also affected. It seems that many genes are involved, each small part has an effect and unknown transmission and expression. Many causes have been proposed, including specific ones such as variations in the number of copies, NOTCH4, and histone protein loci. A number of things involving genomes such as the 804A zinc finger protein have also been linked. There is significant overlap in the genetics of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Assuming the existence of a hereditary basis, a question from revolutionary psychology is why genes increase the likelihood of developing psychosis, assuming that this condition may be caused by an imbalance of adaptation from an evolutionary perspective. One theory implies the involvement of genes in the evolution of language and human nature, but until now such an idea has remained a natural theory.

Environment

Environmental factors associated with the onset of schizophrenia include the environment of residence, drug abuse and stress during pregnancy. Parenting style does not seem to have a big influence, even though sufferers who get support from their parents are better than sufferers with parents who criticize and are rude. Living in an urban environment during childhood or adulthood consistently seems to increase the risk of schizophrenia doubling, even after taking into account drug use factors, ethnic groups, and the size of social groups. Other factors that play an important role include social isolation and immigration related to social difficulties, racial discrimination, family dysfunction, unemployment, and poor housing conditions.

Drug abuse

A number of drugs are associated with the onset of schizophrenia, including cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamines. About half of people with schizophrenia are excessive users of drugs and / or alcohol. The role of cannabis can be a cause, but other drugs can be used only as a way to overcome depression, anxiety, boredom, and feeling lonely.

Dependence on high-dose marijuana is at risk of developing psychotic disorders that are used which often correlate with twice the increased risk of psychosis and schizophrenia. Although the use of marijuana is accepted as a cause that contributes to schizophrenia by many, it remains controversial. Amphetamines, cocaine, and to a lesser degree alcohol, can cause symptomatic psychosis very similar to schizophrenia. Although not generally believed to be a cause of disease, schizophrenics use nicotine with a much greater average than the general population.

Developmental factors

Factors such as hypoxia and infection, or stress and malnutrition in the mother during fetal development, can result in a slightly increased risk of schizophrenia later in life. People diagnosed with schizophrenia are more often born during the winter or spring (at least in the northern hemisphere) which may be a result of an increase in the average exposure to the virus in the womb. This difference is around 5 to 8%.

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