Historically, people have greatly misunderstood schizophrenia. In the past, society believed demons possessed those suffering from the disorder. As a result, they were tortured, exiled, or locked up. In fact, it took until the late 1800s to classify schizophrenia as a mental illness. Although a lot still remains unclear, modern research has come a long way in explaining and treating schizophrenia.

In every culture and country around the world, schizophrenia occurs in one percent of the population. It typically develops during late adolescence or early adulthood, and a greater chance exists for developing the illness if a sufferer's mother contracted the flu while pregnant. In addition, people who fall under a low socio-economic status have a slightly increased chance of developing schizophrenia.

With regard to alleviation from the mental disorder, one third of sufferers have one episode of schizophrenia and recover fully. Conversely, one third cycle in and out of mental health facilities, or experience symptoms off and on. They spiral down, become stable and then eventually over time have another episode. Sadly, another third never recover, despite treatment.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Various symptoms of schizophrenia exist that make it difficult for sufferers to function as a normal part of society. Common symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and inappropriate behavior or emotions, all of which result in a person with schizophrenia losing touch with reality. In this interactivity, learn more about these symptoms. Click the player to begin.

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Types of Schizophrenia

Types of schizophrenia include paranoid, disorganized, and catatonic. People who have this mental disorder display a diverse range of symptoms. Explore each type of schizophrenia. Click the player to begin.

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Causes of Schizophrenia

Research now confirms that schizophrenia is a brain disorder. Brains of sufferers contain six times the amount of dopamine than healthy brains. Furthermore, brain scans reveal larger ventricles, or holes, and frontal lobes show differences in size and structure. In addition, a genetic link appears possible. For instance, if one identical twin has schizophrenia, a forty to sixty-five percent chance exists that the other twin will too.

Other risk factors involve maternal environment and birth. For example, many schizophrenics experienced complicated births. Moreover, if the mother had the flu during the baby’s sixth or seventh month in the womb, risk increases for developing the mental disorder.

Vulnerability Theory

The vulnerability theory contends that genes and environment both interact to make someone more vulnerable to having schizophrenia. If genetics makes someone susceptible, then other factors such as maternal environment, dysfunctional home environment, or stress later in life might all combine to lead to the development of the mental disorder.

 

Schizophrenia Review

Now that you have learned a bit more about schizophrenia, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Click the player to get started.