Exploring Mental Illness Risk Factors: What Are The Environmental Causes Of Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition typically characterized by symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and unusual movements. While there is currently no single known cause of schizophrenia, experts believe the condition can be triggered by a combination of genetics, changes to brain structure, and environmental factors. Some of these environmental factors can include trauma during the early childhood years, substance misuse, and exposure to certain medical concerns prior to birth. Schizophrenia is often manageable with a combination of therapy and medication.

Schizophrenia can be a complex condition

Get further insight from an online therapist

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder involving symptoms that often include psychotic features. Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder frequently seem to manifest suddenly, though less severe symptoms may be present for years before the disorder becomes noticeable.

Symptoms of schizophrenia

In many cases, people experiencing active schizophrenia do not recognize their own symptoms. However, the people around them often do. These acute symptoms can include the following: 

• Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling stimuli that are not real (hallucinations)

• Experiencing false beliefs that aren’t based in reality (delusions)

• Disorganized speech and behavior

• Extreme and unfounded paranoia

• Lack of emotion or facial expressions 

• Social withdrawal

While schizophrenia tends to run in families, the disorder can also manifest in individuals with no family history of mental illness. Additionally, research shows that certain environmental exposures may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. 

What causes schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia research is ongoing, and current evidence suggests that a combination of genetics and environmental factors may trigger the disorder to develop.

According to an article published by the University of Cambridge, the hereditary component of schizophrenia spectrum disorders can be considered well-established. Though less than 1% of the global population is estimated to be affected by schizophrenia, research shows that “the risk of developing schizophrenia in family members increases with the degree of biological relatedness to the patient — greater risks are associated with higher levels of shared genes.” 

In fact, a systematic review of data drawn from family, identical twins, and adoption studies has shown “overwhelming evidence of a substantial genetic component in schizophrenia.” However, the same review concluded that “environmental factors both add to and interact with genetic factors” to contribute to schizophrenia’s onset. 

Possible environmental causes of schizophrenia

While updated research may be needed, numerous studies suggest that environmental factors may play a more significant role in the manifestation of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder than originally thought. 

Some possible environmental causes may include those listed below: 

1. Factors during pregnancy and birth: Increased vulnerability may result if your mother experienced bleeding or high blood pressure during her pregnancy, or if she underwent an emergency cesarean section. Being born with a lower-than-average weight can heighten the likelihood of developing schizophrenia. Additionally, exposure to viruses like the flu or herpes in utero might contribute to schizophrenia risk.

2. Early trauma or traumatic life experiences: Incidents like childhood trauma, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, bullying, or the loss of a parent during childhood may elevate the chances of developing schizophrenia in adulthood. 

3. Substance misuse: Psychosis can be induced by the use of stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine. Certain studies also indicate that cannabis use may lead to an increased risk of schizophrenia. The earlier one starts using these substances and the more frequently they're used, the greater the likelihood of experiencing psychotic symptoms may be.

4. Relocation to a different country: Refugees from other nations typically face a heightened risk of schizophrenia, potentially stemming from the traumas encountered during migration, including discrimination and homelessness. Furthermore, the offspring of migrants also tend to be susceptible to this risk.

5. Traumatic brain injury: While further research may be needed, studies show that traumatic brain injuries can be associated with significant psychiatric consequences, which may include schizophrenia. 

If you or a loved one are witnessing or experiencing any form of abuse, please know that help is available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline anytime at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Schizophrenia can be a complex condition

Get further insight from an online therapist

How treatment and therapy can help

Though schizophrenia can be a challenging disorder to experience, the condition is often treatable. With proper medical treatment, people with schizophrenia can effectively manage their symptoms. In fact, research indicates that as many as one in seven people with schizophrenia may achieve functional recovery.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 

Additionally, research suggests that a treatment plan combining medication with non-pharmacological treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) often leads to positive results. 

With prescribed medications like antipsychotics and therapeutic methods like CBT, people living with schizophrenia can gain a deeper understanding of their disorder, establish a support team, and learn to recognize and manage severe symptoms in healthy ways. 

Online therapy

Online therapy can be particularly beneficial for those seeking affordable options, as well as a therapist with whom they truly connect. Online therapy platforms typically allow users to switch therapists as desired and match with professionals who meet their specific needs. However, please note that in-person care may be needed in cases of acute psychosis.

While the effectiveness of online therapy for schizophrenia may require further research, studies suggest that online CBT can be equally effective as in-person therapy for treating other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which can co-occur with schizophrenia. As research progresses, a deeper understanding of both the genetic and environmental aspects of schizophrenia will likely contribute to improved treatment strategies and outcomes for those affected by the disorder.