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
Answered by Irving I. Gottesman, Ph.D.: The question requires a book-length answer to do justice to the information. I have written such a book (Schizophrenia Genesis, W.H. Freeman & Company, 1991), and it is in the recommended reading list for this American Experience program. I have co-authored an informational guide, “Schizophrenia & Genetic Risks,” which is available in the primary sources section of this Web site. It is the accumulation of facts, all converging on the conclusion that genetic factors, currently unspecified at the level of the genes themselves, and environmental factors, currently unspecifiable, combine in some fashion over time to produce this severe disorder in our species.
