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Even at a very early age, schizophrenia can develop. Indeed, one of the reasons for the development of a mental disorder is heredity and genetics. Interestingly, to this day, scientists have not found the very gene responsible for the appearance of one of the most severe mental illnesses of all time. Initially, 72 genes were isolated, one of which, in theory, could be the same. After studying them, this idea had to be discarded, since it was not scientifically confirmed.
But it was found that genes that are involved in the process of neurotransmitter metabolism take part in the development of this terrible disease. If they are deformed or produced in small quantities, the receptors stop responding to them. This leads to malfunctions in the work of the central nervous system.
Schizophrenia heredity statistics
From how damaged certain genes of a person, he can experience three conditions: schizotopic disorder, schizophrenia in its purest form, or the possession of an “infected” gene that will be passed on to representatives of the future generation.
Many patients have acquired their disorder in heredity. The statistics are not encouraging:
- with a disease of one parent — 15% of children receive a «sick» gene;
- if both parents are sick, the risk of intercepting the schizophrenia gene increases to 45%;
- the grandfather or grandmother was sick — 10% risk;
- sick nephew — 2%;
- cousins, brothers, uncle or aunt — also 2%;
- great-grandparents — the risk of catching the disease is 5%;
- from siblings — from 5% to 10%.
Children with an ill mother are more likely to have a schizophrenic disorder than those with an ill father.
How to understand that a child develops schizophrenia and what is important to know?
These guys can be identified by observing their behavior. Usually they are away from the other guys. He does not want to play with them and communicate. Such kids are closed, do not like attention and try not to stand out from the crowd. They do not like to make eye contact and always try to turn away when talking to others.
They will often talk about their fears. For example, that they are afraid of black or another color. Schizophrenic children may be afraid of things that ordinary children would not pay attention to. For example, a terry towel or a wooden door.
They are also picky eaters. Of course, that they may not agree to eat certain dishes, eat some food, etc. In fact, it is with nutrition that parents can have great difficulties, because it is almost impossible to explain to the child that it is useful and that the human body needs it to strengthen the immune system. A child who develops schizophrenia simply will not listen to their parents. They are interested in creativity, psychology, paleontology, if we are talking about schoolchildren and teenagers.
Causes of schizophrenia in childhood
Genetic predisposition is not the only reason children develop this mental disorder. Others worth noting include:
- strong feelings — they saw a terrible picture in childhood, which they could not get out of their heads, they were afraid of some event;
- stress — they were hit, ridiculed. A child may be traumatized by the death of a loved one;
- violence — this can be situations of a sexual nature, as well as frequent beatings of adults or their peers.
These babies have little expression of emotions. They do not feel the surroundings. They don’t know how to express their own emotions. These are people of a very fine mental organization.