Causes of the Schizophrenic Mind

Schizophrenia is one of the most misdiagnosed illnesses of all time. Its characteristics of identification – hallucinations, delusions, lack of body control, etc. - often cause it to be identified as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Doctors and scientists still debate the major cause of schizophrenia. Through research it is carefully observed that genetic factors play a larger role in the cause of schizophrenia than environmental factors.

Individuals with schizophrenia are required to have MRIs or CT scans due to the theory that schizophrenia may stem from a physical abnormality in the brain. MRIs and CT scans of schizophrenic patients have seen enlarged ventricles which results in the loss of brain cells. Once brains cell exit the brain, it leaves the individual more vulnerable to hallucination, delusions and decreases their body control abilities. These scans have also seen structural abnormalities in the prefrontal temporal cortex and the temporal-limbic area of the brain. The prefrontal temporal cortex is critical in judgment, insight, motivation, and mood. The temporal-limbic area is located at the bottom of the brain and it involved in the retention of visual memories, processing sensory details, comprehending language, storing new memories, emotion, and finding meanings. It is obvious that abnormalities in these areas of the brain can and will cause schizophrenia symptoms. These abnormalities are most commonly produced by genetic pairings. (Begeley 1.)

The chance of an individual in the general population without a family history of schizophrenia is currently at one percent. An individual with a parent with the illness has a 10 percent chance of developing the illness and an ind...

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...mptoms, however marijuana can worsen a patient’s symptoms depending on the type of schizophrenia they have. Abusing substances also shows a likelihood that patients will not take the appropriate medications.(Spearing 3.)

Environmental factors may help the symptoms of schizophrenia to be more noticeable, but genetic factors are at the core of the illness. Although the major cause of schizophrenia is still yet to be officially determined, evidence points towards genetic physical abnormalities of the brain. Examples of a set of quadruplet sisters and MRIs and CT scans of a schizophrenic mind prove that genetics play a major role in the cause of schizophrenia. Nicotine may cause schizophrenic-like symptoms, however there is no concrete evidence that smoking directly causes schizophrenia. In conclusion, the cause of schizophrenia is more genetic than environmental.