Is schizophrenia hereditary?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 2.4 million schizophrenics live in America. Moreover, it is estimated that 1 percent of the entire population of the world is schizophrenic. This is a mental illness that can incapacitate or even kill a person. Although the causes of schizophrenia are not entirely known, scientists think that genetics is a major factor in the development and progression of the illness.
My mother is a schizophrenic with severe depression. She is institutionalized. I never grew up with her but I am aware of her now. I have always feared that this disease was hereditary. Is it? Sometimes I forget things or I feel as if I am losing it, and I don’t know if it is just a mental thing because I know about my mom.
Hello Leila, I also agree with one of the female Top contributors…there is no as yet conclusive genetic blueprint been worked out for diseases such as schizophrenia or even bi-polar disorder (foremely manic-depression)…even though many psychological studies…in clinical and academic medicine and pschology would like the public to believe that this uncerainty is an established fact…. 1. It has not been conclusively established….and widely accepted medical certainty that a schizophrenic gene exists…nor bi-polar gene nor same sex or (homo-sexual gene). 2. Thre is however a strong correlation( a statistical association) with mathematical significance between previous and succeeding familial generations… I tend to believe …like others…. in the face of ‘evidence beyond reasonable doubt’…that the gene hypothesis remains just that to date (a hypothesis) i.e. one or ‘a’ theory that has yet to be ‘proven’ true or ‘proven’ false…. In other words ‘proof’ is a must (pre-requisi