About 150 of every 100,000 persons will develop schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia affects men and women equally

About 1% of the population suffers from schizophrenia.

About 75% of patients developed schizophrenia between the ages of 15-25.

Life/Health Changes: Environmental effects, such as viral infections that changed the body’s chemistry or a highly stressful situation, may trigger susceptibility to the illness.

Family History: There is an 8-18% chance of children, with one parent who is schizophrenic, to develop the illness. In children with two parents who are schizophrenic, there is a 15-50% risk.

Genetics: Genetic combinations could result in a person not having certain enzymes or fully developed nerves; both of which could lead to the illness.

Developmental Problems: In some schizophrenic patients, the prefrontal cortex in the brain may have developed abnormally, thus leading to the disturbances in thought patterns.

Illness: Autoimmune illness and viral infections may combine with genetics to cause schizophrenia.

Medication: Use of medication may interfere with the brain’s production of dopamine. Schizophrenia sufferers may be extra sensitive to dopamine, or may produce too much of it.

Antipsychotic medications have been used to bring biochemical imbalances closer to normal, allowing the sufferer to maintain coherent thoughts.

Side effects from the antipsychotic medications can occur, but usually are not serious and may be reversible. Some side effects may include restlessness, stiffness, and muscle spasms.

The medication allows the patient to participate in rehabilitation aimed at promoting the individual’s functioning in society.

A treatment called psychoeducational therapy involves the patient’s family in communicating with the patient about their illness. When this therapy has been combined with social skills training, relapse rates during the first year was zero.

With treatment, the symptoms of schizophrenia can be controlled, and recovery is often possible in those who receive access to continuous treatment and rehabilitation.