Understanding Schizophrenia- What Exactly Is It and What Are The Causes?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is schizophrenia?

 Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. 

People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although schizophrenia is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling.

 

Schizophrenia is a diagnosis that someone is given if they experience some of the following symptoms:

• a lack of interest in things
• feeling disconnected from your feelings
• difficulty concentrating
• wanting to avoid people
• hallucinations
• hearing voices
• delusions
• feeling like you need to be protected.

 Causes:

Schizophrenia is usually caused by a combination of factors rather than one single cause.

Dopamine

Dopamine is one of the chemicals that carries messages between brain cells. There is evidence that too much dopamine may be involved in the development of schizophrenia, however- it is not clear how, or whether everyone diagnosed with schizophrenia has too much dopamine.

Stressful life events

Highly stressful or life-changing events may trigger and cause schizophrenia. 
These may include:

• social isolation
• being out of work
• living in poverty
• being homeless
• losing someone close to you
• being physically or verbally abused, or harassed.

Drug abuse

Some people may develop symptoms of schizophrenia as a result of using cannabis or other street drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines.

Inheritance

Some families seem to be prone to schizophrenia, which suggests that there is a genetic link.

Other causes

Research is happening all the time into what might cause schizophrenia. For example there is evidence that physical differences in, or injury to the brain may be linked to schizophrenia, and that some of this process might happen before someone is born. Research into other possible causes, including viruses, hormonal activity (particularly in women), diet, allergic reaction or infection is ongoing.

Mental health Counseling can be very helpful for individuals who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Reference: Mind.org

                        By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

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