What Causes Schizophrenia?

Unraveling the Enigma: Exploring the Complex Causes of Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite extensive research, schizophrenia remains an enigma, with its exact causes and underlying mechanisms still not fully understood. In this post, we will explore the complexities of schizophrenia and delve into the current understanding of its causes and the cognitive impairments and dysfunctions associated with the disorder.

I. Schizophrenia: An Overview

Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by many symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, and social withdrawal. The disorder typically emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood, and its symptoms often lead to significant impairments in daily functioning, social relationships, and overall quality of life.

II. The Multifactorial Nature of Schizophrenia

Although the exact causes of schizophrenia remain unknown, researchers believe that the disorder arises from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. Some of the key factors contributing to the development of schizophrenia include:

Genetic Factors

Schizophrenia is known to have a vital genetic component. Studies on twins and families show that if an identical twin has schizophrenia, the likelihood of the other twin developing the disorder is approximately 40-50%. Additionally, having a first-degree relative with schizophrenia increases the risk by ten times compared to the general population.

Despite these compelling findings, no single "schizophrenia gene" has been identified. Instead, it is believed that a combination of multiple genetic variations, each with a small effect, contributes to an individual's overall risk of developing the disorder.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors also play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia. These factors include prenatal and perinatal complications, exposure to certain viral infections during pregnancy, urban upbringing, childhood trauma, and substance abuse.

Neurobiological Factors

Schizophrenia has been associated with various neurobiological abnormalities, such as altered levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and glutamate, and structural brain abnormalities. Moreover, research has shown that individuals with schizophrenia often exhibit disruptions in brain connectivity, which may contribute to the cognitive impairments observed in the disorder.

III. Cognitive Impairments and Dysfunctions in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is associated with a broad range of cognitive deficits, which can significantly impact an individual's daily functioning and social interactions. Some of the primary cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia include:

Attention and Working Memory
Individuals with schizophrenia often experience difficulties maintaining focus, sustaining attention, and manipulating and retaining information in working memory. These deficits can contribute to disorganized thinking and impairments in problem-solving abilities.

Executive Function

Executive function refers to higher-order cognitive processes that enable goal-directed behavior, planning, and decision-making. Schizophrenia is often associated with impairments in these processes, resulting in difficulties with organization, flexibility, and abstract thinking.

Social Cognition

Social cognition refers to the ability to understand and interpret social cues and the mental states of others. Individuals with schizophrenia frequently exhibit impairments in social awareness, contributing to social withdrawal and difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships.

Conclusion

While the exact causes of schizophrenia remain elusive, it is clear that it arises from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. As research continues to shed light on the underlying mechanisms of schizophrenia, it is hoped that this knowledge will lead to more effective treatments and interventions, ultimately improving the lives of those affected by this enigmatic disorder.

#schizophrenia #anxiety #mentalhealth #depression

[cherylmiller]

Very informative! Thanks for explaining this. I've oftened wondered if the brain has areas that have died, or shut down because of the illness, and if there's any hope of improvement with medication. I'm thinking that we're managing the symptoms with meds, but the illness will always be there. Life sure isn't fair, is it? My son just was released from the hospital yesterday after a 19 day stay between 2 hospitals. He has a complete change of meds, so we're hoping for better results. Thanks for all you guys do. It's very much appreciated.

[JesusLife]

Your right, as a nurse (RN) and having a brother with this condition. God bless you and your son. Your ab awesome father!

[Sydopath]

Great video and very helpful. My son has got the full list of symptoms. As a teen we thought it was ADHD, but now in his 20s, he suffers psychosis and paranoia. It’s a full time job keeping him out of trouble.

[SarahSodaPop]

I wish you both all the best. You're very fortunate to have eachother. I wish you both comfort and kindness and of course health and safety. I have two brothers with schizophrenia. The onset of their illness was at age fifteen for both of them. My oldest brother doesn't have the same degree in severity of symptoms. I understand and appreciate how heartbreaking it is to see a loved one live with this disorder. Like Steven, there were no early signs socially or cognitively. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge and also for your desire to learn more about schizophrenia and ways to manage it. I can see the kindness in both of you.

[GodTurnItAround]

I have a few questions, if you don't mind as I'm looking into my own mental health issues.

1. Were you born prematurely?
2. Have you looked into your grandparents / great grandparents mental health issues, perhaps?
3. Did your mother breastfeed you?
4. Around the age of 12 did anything traumatic happen in your life?

I hope none of these questions are too personal, I'm trying to find some sort of pattern that might help me to make sense of my experiences.

Thank you 🙏

[clarkgable]

I like this channel's thumbnails. Very straightforward and straight to the point. Nothing click-baity.

[carlosmaldondo]

Hi Stephen happy birthday 🎈🎁🎊🎉🎂 it was a pleasure talkings with you. Keep up the good work. You and your dad make great videos together, you have my full support on any projects you have ahead.

[mariacorso]

Thank you for both for your discussion i learnt more, my brother has this condition, he has us family as support always. Watching from 🇦🇺 Australia .

[PaulineRaabe_]

You're such a cool
dad Steve! Your journey with Stephen and sharing it is helping more people than you know. Keep doing what you're doing. Ty
We are here to support you guys 💯! 🙂

[marymurphy]

Thank you for this video. I recently got diagnosed with schizoaffective and it helped explain my cognitive dysfunction these past few years. I had no idea what was causing it but now I have the right diagnosis.

[GeorgeBakalovPRO]

Thank you so much for this information! It’s amazing how little there is of this out there. As a partner whose child just recently got diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, I find this very helpful!

[GlacialRidgeHomestead]

Stephen is lucky to have you as his dad. ❤

[noreenquinn]

You are so right to keep seeking knowledge. I hope the professions are doing the same and are advocating and setting up clubs with activities etc. not just prescribing medicines. It's hard work. Even getting people to attend. This is where we can't give up.
Did you listen to Jill Bolte Taylor's Ted Talk on the Teen Brain? Keep them alive till 25 ( reduce brain clipping i mean). There is hope though. All we know, is that we know very little about the brain. Professor Ian Mcgilchrist book( The Master and his Emissary and the Mater with things are good reads. Heavy going though. There are YouTube videos outling).

We still have neuroplasticity to rely on too and epigenetics to work. How do we engage though? Degeneration will surely depend on personal circumstances too diet ( gut biome, kefir, green veg, oats, omega 3), exercise, stimulation, encouraging participation, discovering interests, teaching independence and problem solving. Not easy either. Where there is a will there is progress!

[williamjohnson]

I was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was 23. I went through electro- convulsive therapy. I blame it on my parents traveling and living in 3 different states in the US. The first thing that they do is take you to a hospital to get checked out. The diagnosis means nothing, except how to treat you.

[pauldemic]

Thank you for this information. I learn so much from your channel.

[boblevey]

Thank you so much Dad, you and Stephen are a blessing to me. My journey with my son who sadly has not come to terms with the disease and accepting what the medical field calls it is a difficult path to follow because he is 41 and it seems that it is getting worse. He reminds me of stephen in some ways. He was a young Black Belt competitor and he received his MBA, lots of friends, very friendly outgoing person.. Just an all around great person. The disease started showing up in and around his early 20's now 20 years later he's had at least 4 serious breaks through out this period..
To add to this I believe he struggles with anosognosia which for those that don't know what this is, it is; the inability to see what is staring them right in their own faces or lack of insight..

Also Dad, could you give some sites or medical journals that are up to date on researching Schizophrenia that you subscribe to please?
As always Blessing to you all..

[CynthiaMejia-nmlv]

Just wanted to share that I’ve heard that someone that has the certification in Functional Medicine in Clovis California has been very successful in treating schizophrenia. A neuroscientist Dr. Perlmutter discovered that the brain has inflammation. With that said, it’s possible to treat this condition. Just like they are reversing Alzheimer’s. It’s not widely publicize. You should have someone in your area that does Functional medicine. They get to the root of the problem.

[jayashreepatil]

Hello Stephen,
Please watch video of Harvard Scientist Dr. Chris Palmer on keto diet for schizophrenia

[denisekarding]

I have learned a lot from your talk. What is your opinion on the genetic factor in regards to this illness.

[kalaiselviramaiah]

Thank you to you for sharing this vital information, can this cognitive impairment treated with vitamins ..? My regards to stephen god bless your family