Is Schizophrenia Inherited?

Spearing, Melissa K. "Overview of Schizophrenia." Schizophrenia.com. 2002. 20 Dec. 2006 <http://www.schizophrenia.com/family/sz.overview.htm>.

- yes, people who have close family members with Schizophrenia are a lot more likely to get it then people who dont have any traces of it in there families.
- if your identical twin has it, then you have a 40%-50% chance of getting it too.
- if your parent has Schizophrenia, then you have a 10% chance of having it.
- The general public has a 1% chance of having Schizophrenia

Causes

Spearing, Melissa K. "Overview of Schizophrenia." Schizophrenia.com. 2002. 20 Dec. 2006 <http://www.schizophrenia.com/family/sz.overview.htm>.

there are no known causes of Schizophrenia. Other diseases like heart disease, ( result from an interplay of genetic, behavioral, and other factors) may lead to Schizophrenia. scientists don't understand everything that may produce Schizophrenia. Scientists are using modern biomedical tools to look for critical times in brain function or activity, genetics, and any other reasons that's a person may develop Schizophrenia.

Symptoms

"Schizophrenia Center." Everyday Health. Harvard Health Publications. 6 Dec. 2006 <http://www.everydayhealth.com/publicsite/index.aspx?puid=eaa3d826-02bb-4389-8561-62b0c2e91b13>

Positive symptoms:
-Hallucinations (disordered perceptions) that may involve any of the five senses, including sight, -hearing, touch, smell and taste
-Delusions (distorted thoughts)
-Disorganized speech
-Unusual or disorganized behavior

Negative symptoms:
-Restricted emotional range ("flat affect")
-Limited, unresponsive speech with little expression
-Disordered thinking, with problems making logical connections
-Trouble starting or pursuing goal-directed activity

Definition

"Schizophrenia." Dicitonary.com. 6 Dec. 2006 <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Schizophrenia>.


Any of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances. Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine imbalances in the brain and defects of the frontal lobe and is caused by genetic, other biological, and psychosocial factors.


"Schizophrenia Center." Everyday Health. Harvard Health Publications. 6 Dec. 2006 <http://www.everydayhealth.com/publicsite/index.aspx?puid=cb8e76f2-a14c-43a7-b29b-be26d09e384f>

Schizophrenia is a chronic (long-lasting) mental illness that is difficult to define and is easily misunderstood. Although symptoms may vary widely, people with schizophrenia frequently have difficulty recognizing reality, thinking logically and behaving normally in social situations. It is surprisingly common, affecting 1 in every 100 people worldwide.

The schizophrenic brain

(http://www.mindcontrolforums.com/news/schizophrenia3a.gif)


(http://www.scienceclarified.com/images/uesc_09_img0510.jpg)

What I know about Schizophrenia

I really don't know too much about this topic.

Schizophrenia is a illness that affects many people. I know that schizophrenic people may see or hear things that aren't actually there. I know you cant catch it through contact but I'm pretty sure it can be passed down through family.

I hear it gets worse as the years go by and i think its managable but not curable.