There is more evidence that schizophrenia is inherited (at least
to a degree) than most, if not all, other mental illnesses via twin studies and
in particular, psychobiology. Twin studies support that among those who are
separated at birth and raised in different families, rates of both twins having
schizophrenia are higher than among non-biological siblings raised in the same
home i.e. more evidence for biology than psychology and especially, sociology.
In addition, the delusions and hallucinations thought to be caused by
schizophrenia are due to overactive dopamine receptors in the brain, or an
imbalance of an important neurotransmitter in the brain responsible for
pleasure. This makes a lot of sense when one considers drug induced psychosis
that can occur from chronic stimulant abuse. Why? Because stimulants act on
dopamine receptors. Each stimulant has a specific mechanism of action, but the
overall effect is the same: This is why some individuals on cocaine (for
example) may experience psychotic symptoms while on the drug and become
intensely paranoid and delusional; for instance, believing that the FBI is watching
them. So from all of the research I have been able to gather what is going on
in a non-medicated schizophrenic’s brain is akin to drug induced psychosis for a
brain with “normal” dopamine receptor function. This also explains why
schizophrenics are treated with antipsychotic medications, which reduce the
activity of dopamine in the brain to limit or eliminate psychotic delusions
and/or hallucinations.
So was my dad going to be schizophrenic no matter what,
simply because of his brain chemistry? I truly don’t believe so. People are not
born with schizophrenia; most experience symptoms in late adolescence to early
adulthood (with the exception of some who experience symptoms as adolescents
but can only be diagnosed with “schizoaffective disorder” until they reach adulthood).
From a biological standpoint, it seems
likely that my dad had the genetic predisposition for schizophrenia. What
brought it out was likely related to psychological factors such as his
upbringing and how his brain developed, although I have little information to
corroborate this. Hopefully throughout this process I will acquire the sources necessary
to assess this. In terms of
environmental factors, I do know that my dad experimented a lot with
hallucinogenic drugs as a teenager and young adult. My mom always claimed that
dad’s schizophrenia is due to that substance abuse, but I don’t buy it. Plenty
of people use drugs heavily and never experience psychotic symptoms, at least
not permanent long terms ones even after the drug effects have worn off.
Could
dad’s substance abuse have been the catalyst for his schizophrenia given a
genetic predisposition and similarly predisposing upbringing? Absolutely, and
this is what I believe to be the case, with the caveat that my perception is
not based on tangible evidence but rather instinct and education. So is his illness 50% biology, 20%
psychology, and 30% sociology? Who knows? Will I ever know? Unlikely! What is
the ratio of the impact of each of these disciplines for other diagnosed
schizophrenics? Again, there is probably no way that we will ever know, but
that doesn’t make exploring the possibilities any less valuable, at least in my
mind and for my search to understand and make sense of it all. Sometimes it’s
not about finding the answers, but going through the arduous task of asking
questions that culminate in me finding my answers, or you finding your answers.
As cliché as using an Aerosmith quote may seem, “Life is a journey, not a
destination.”
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