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Monday, November, 23, 2009
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Can a person inherit partial characteristics of schizophrenia

poppy
09/29/09
poppy
Topics:Ask The Experts

I am asking my question on behalf of my friend, i find him to be very unemotional, in some respects, he complains of never having been shown love from his mother as a child.

His father would beat him and his brothers aswell.

His mother is schizophrenic, when his children were born she showed no emotion at all

towards them.

He very often talks of things to do with his mother, he says she is cold, i have tried to

tell him that this is caused by her illness, but, he says " no shes just a cold person by nature".

He pushes me away from his mentally, and yet wants to be with me, or so he says.

Is it possible that he can partially inherit his mothers symtoms?, he is totally normal

in every other way.He is now 50 yrs old.

Thanks

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Answers (1)
Christina Bruni
Christina Bruni
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Librarian and Writer

Christina has been in remission from schizophrenia, and out of the...

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Hi poppy,

 

I cannot diagnose what is going on with your friend because I am not a professional who treats schizophrenia.  However it seems to me that he could possibly not be demonstrative physically or spontaneous with his feelings.  The whole debate of "nature versus nature" has been discussed elsewhere in detail.  I will tell you that he needed to be nurtured as a child so that his nature could be validated and expressed.  Figuring out the root cause of his unemotional tendency is not the solution.  If he is not experiencing psychosis or delusions or paranoia, there is a chance his upbringing and environment with the abusive father could have contributed to his lack of emotion. 

 

It is easier said than done when abuse was involved, however, at some point in an adult child's life he will have transcend the hurt and pain and forgive and move on.  I'm not sure his endless comments about his mother or father serve him well.  He may want to consider therapy with a therapist trained to serve clients with a history of abuse.

 

Also it is possible for your friend to have a very, very mild form of schizophrenia howewver like I say I'm not the person to tell you that.  At this point I would say you could suggest he talk to a therapist if you feel so inclined to do this.  He may be afraid of getting close to people, or be afraid of showing emotion, because of the fear of what the other person will do to him.  Right now it seems he is vulnerable.

 

Regards,

Christina

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Schizophrenia is a syndrome characterized by disturbances in emotions, thought, activity, and language, that leaves patients fearful and withdrawn.

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