Schizophrenia is generally seen as an outgrowth of both psychosocial stressors and biological factors.?

Schizophrenia is generally seen as an outgrowth of both psychosocial stressors and biological factors.

1. What is the evidence that both are involved?

2. How is this reflected in the therapy provided to schizophrenics?

1. I worked in mental health since 1987 and I know of numerous instances where someone who had schizophrenia didn't show symptoms until after a certain traumatic event in their lives. It is a typical part of treatment to ask about family history and many people with mental illness have relatives with mental illness. I have also noticed that a lot of people with serious mental illness had chaotic childhoods with history of abuse and proverty. In addition, it is fairly common for people in the military to develop signs of mental illness after combat experiences.
2. Psychiatrists are interested in family history. If one family member with mental illness responded well to a certain treatment, it could be taken as a clue to what might work for another person from the same family. If the patient is being seen by a counselor, they are likely to discuss how the patient felt about their upbringing and certain events in their lives.

Thank you so much for the answer. Report Abuse

The scientific evidence comes from identical twin studies, they have 100% the DNA, OK but when it comes to schizophrenia the chances are 50/50 when one twin gets diagnosed with schizophrenia.

You could have the gene for schizophrenia, as well as your identical twin, but it does often take a stressor like substance abuse and or lots of stress to turn the gene on.

Many people get their first psychotic break in boot camp

In true schizophrenia, I am not aware of either stressors or biology being any type of factor. As such you might be interested in the following document for clarification on schizophrenia and schizophrenic-like symptoms.