Schizophrenia is one of the most challenging brain disorders there is wherein the person who is suffering from this disorder are having the difficulties of distinguishing the difference between the unreal and the real, losing the capacity of thinking clearly, having a hard time of managing their emotions and relating with other people surrounding them.
In most of the cases, this brain disorder is affecting individuals who are in their late teens or even in the stage of early adulthood. On the other hand, there are rare circumstances showing that it can affect both adolescents and children but with slightly different symptoms. Studies shows, this disorder is more dominant with men when compared to the women.
But then the root cause of schizophrenia is not clear yet. This is the reason why there are varieties of theories emerging which are seeking the explanation of what are really the origins of schizophrenia. One of these existing theories is the diathesis stress model of schizophrenia.
Claims of the Diathesis Stress Model of Schizophrenia
The diathesis stress model of schizophrenia or also known as the diathesis stress theory is proposing that the brain disorder which is schizophrenia is brought by the combination of different factors including biological, environmental and genetic factors.
This theory is also stating that the symptoms of schizophrenia is being triggered by different environmental stressors or what you know as stress which are interacting with the diathesis or biological vulnerability of a disease. Another, individuals who are prone of acquiring this brain disorder are people who have lower strength of fighting stress and are very vulnerable of developing the said disease. Some of the environmental stressors which are said to be causing this include abuse, trauma, family conflict, school problems, peer rejections and at times poor nutrition.
Though the diathesis stress model of schizophrenia is just one of the theories about the origins of schizophrenia, there are scientific evidences which are supporting this theory. Studies show that that this brain disorder is consisting of hereditary or genetic components. Furthermore, the absence or the presence of specific life stressors could be the best explanation why there are other people who are not genetically vulnerable of developing the brain disorder which is schizophrenia.
Symptoms and Signs of Schizophrenia
The symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, disorganized speech, hallucinations, disorganized behaviour and “negative” symptoms. The symptoms and signs of this brain disorder vary for every person and it also comes to a point of undergoing changing with time wherein it can become more complex than the usual.
Schizophrenia can be diagnosed though psychiatric evaluation wherein the psychiatrist will be asking questions about psychiatric and family history, mental problems and a lot more. Another is through medical exam and history and lastly through laboratory tests including MRI or the CT scans looking for some brain abnormalities.
In General
Though schizophrenia is very bothering and quite alarming, this brain disorder is still manageable for the reason that as long as the schizophrenic person is undergoing treatment, medication and therapy with the support of their family and friends, recovering from this is achievable. All they need is time and the moral support that they deserve while fighting against the disorder.