Schizophrenia begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. People who have schizophrenia may have unusual beliefs, called delusions. Schizophrenia is believed to result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. A child who has one parent with schizophrenia. Implicates abnormalities in both the brain's structure and biochemical activities. Sometimes, the use of street drugs seems to bring on schizophrenia. These include ecstasy (E), LSD (acid), amphetamines (speed) and crack. Environmental factors, such as a viral infection, poor social interactions or highly stressful situations, may trigger schizophrenia in people who have inherited a tendency to develop the disorder. Schizophrenia more often surfaces when the body is undergoing hormonal and physical changes Schizophrenia is known to run in families. Thus, the risk'of illness in'an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia is 40-50%. A child of a parent suffering from schizophrenia has a 10% chance of developing the illness. The risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 1%. Abnormal brain structure and function in people with schizophrenia. However, this type of abnormality doesn't happen in all schizophrenics and can occur in people without the disease. The effectiveness of schizophrenia treatment is often assessed using standardized methods, one of the most common being the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS).

Causes of Schizophrenia

Common Causes and Risk factors of Schizophrenia

Genetics factors.

Environmental factors.

Abnormal brain development

Infections

Birth complications

Head Injury.

Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Sign and Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Hallucinations.

Delusions.

Paranoia.

Lack of motivation and enjoyment.

Concentration

Treatment of Schizophrenia

Common Treatment of Schizophrenia

Treatment includes counselling, social support and rehabilitation.

Anti-psychotic medicines are available to treat the worst symptoms of the illness, such as hallucinations, but there is no "cure" at present.

Anti-psychotic drugs, though effective, are associated with a range of distressing side-effects which can result in constant twitching/fidgeting, writhing and disjointed movements. However, newer ('Atypical') anti-psychotic drugs are designed to offer control of symptoms and less of these disabling side-effects.

Support from family, friends and healthcare services is also a vital part of therapy