The negative symptoms of schizophrenia can often appear years before someone experiences their first acute schizophrenic episode. These initial negative symptoms are often referred to as the prodrome of schizophrenia. Symptoms during the prodromal period usually appear gradually and gradually worsen.
They include progressive social withdrawal, indifference to one’s own body, appearance and personal hygiene. It is currently difficult to say whether the symptoms are part of the development of schizophrenia or caused by something else. Negative symptoms experienced by people living with schizophrenia include:
- loss of interest and motivation in life and activities, including relationships and sex;
- lack of concentration, reluctance to leave the house and changes in sleep patterns;
- a tendency to refuse communication, a sense of embarrassment in society, the lack of common topics for conversation with the overwhelming number of people around.
The negative symptoms of schizophrenia can often lead to relationship problems with friends and family, as they can sometimes be mistaken for deliberate laziness or rudeness.
Psychosis
Schizophrenia is often described by doctors as a form of psychosis. The first acute episode of psychosis can be very difficult to manage, both for the sick person and for their family and friends. Abrupt changes in behavior may occur, and the person may become upset, anxious, embarrassed, angry, or suspicious of others. Patients may think that they do not need help and may be difficult to convince to see a doctor.
Causes of schizophrenia
The exact causes of schizophrenia are not known. Research shows that a combination of physical, genetic, psychological, and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the disease.
Some people are prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event can trigger a psychotic episode. However, it is not known why some people develop symptoms and others do not. Among the risk factors, in the first place, genetics should be attributed.
Schizophrenia is usually inherited, but no single gene is thought to be responsible. It is more likely that different combinations of genes make people more vulnerable to the disease. However, having these genes does not necessarily mean you will develop schizophrenia.
Evidence that this disorder is partly inherited comes from twin studies. Identical twins have the same genes.
In identical twins, if one twin develops schizophrenia, the other twin also has a 1 in 2 chance of developing it. This is true even if they are raised separately. In fraternal twins with different genetic makeup, the ratio of the likelihood of developing this condition is already 1 to 8.
Although this is higher than in the general population, where the odds are about 1 in 100, it suggests that genes are not the only factor in the development of schizophrenia.
brain development
Studies of people with schizophrenia have shown that there are subtle differences in the structure of their brains. These changes are not observed in all patients with schizophrenia and may be observed in people who do not suffer from mental illness. But they suggest that part of what schizophrenia can be classified as a brain disorder.
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages between brain cells. There is a link between neurotransmitters and schizophrenia because drugs that alter neurotransmitter levels in the brain are known to alleviate some of the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Research suggests that schizophrenia may be caused by altered levels of 2 neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin.
Some researchers believe that the imbalance between them is the root of the problem. Others have found that changing the body’s sensitivity to neurotransmitters is part of the cause of schizophrenia.