Schizophrenia - Cause
Experts don't know what causes schizophrenia. It may have different causes for different people. In some people, brain chemistry and brain structure are not normal. Family history may play a role. And problems that harm a baby's brain during pregnancy also may help cause it.
- Genetics: Your chance of developing schizophrenia is greater if your parent, brother, or sister has the illness. But most people who have a family member with schizophrenia don't develop it.
- Brain chemistry and structure: It's possible that neurotransmitters, which send messages between parts of the brain, don't work the right way in people who have schizophrenia.
- Pregnancy: Schizophrenia may be related to pregnancy problems that can harm a baby's developing brain and nervous system. These problems include poor nutrition or a viral infection during pregnancy.
Schizophrenia is not caused by anything you did, by personal weakness or bad choices, or by the way your parents raised you.
Schizophrenia Patient Education Center
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More research is needed to understand what causes schizophrenia.
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