Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to recognize reality, think clearly, manage their emotions, make decisions, and socialize. It is a complex disease affecting approximately one percent of the US population, primarily men. It typically manifests symptoms in the late teens to early twenties for men and between the twenties and thirties for women.The cause of schizophrenia cannot be pinpointed to one cause but there are certain things that generate a higher risk of being diagnosed with it. Genetics are known to be a causative factor in schizophrenia, although it is a combination of genetics and environmental factors that result in the diagnosis. It may be caused by a virus or an incident occurring in the womb. Brain chemistry, specifically certain neurotransmitters, may play a role in schizophrenia. Substance use, especially taking hallucinogens during the early teen years may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia.
