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Biological Basis of Schizophrenia
There has been no exact treatment for Schizophrenia. Its exact cause is also not
known, but some of the risk factors include birth trauma, genetics, seasonality, abnormalities
in brain structure, abnormal brain chemistry as well as environmental factors. Potential
strategies for prevention of the groups at risks of this condition include refraining from drugs,
avoiding abusive or traumatic situations, keeping social ties strong, learning to manage stress,
seeing a psychiatrist, proper nutrition and exercise. Pregnant mothers should also get good
mental and physical health medical care.
Traumatic experiences, sexual abuse as well as brain injury may raise the risk of
Schizophrenia. According to research, children below 16 years when exposed to trauma were
three times more likely of becoming psychotic. When the trauma is severe, children are fifty
times more likely of becoming psychotic. Therefore, traumatic experiences and abusive
relationships should be avoided to reduce the rate of becoming psychotic.
It has been long recognized that abuse of drugs especially in early teens is an
important risk factor for schizophrenia. Results have indicated that interventions for parents
and their children which improves rule setting and communication may play a crucial role in
reducing subsequent drug abuse rate and accompanying problem behavior. However, more
research is needed for conclusive evidence. Studying such program’s efficacy in these
populations is therefore urgent given the grave early drug use consequences in youths who
are at risk for schizophrenia.
