Hello Hector,

As of yet the exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown though I can give you some ideas about the onset of a breakdown. A theory holds that a woman who had influenza while carrying her baby could give birth to a baby at risk for schizophrenia.  The prevailing theory is that there is an imbalance in the level of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain that causes schizophrenia.  Schizophrenia has a genetic component as well so it can be given to children or other relatives when a family member has schizophrenia.

I will tell you what I believe also causes schizophrenia: stress is a component and so is the environment.  I had a breakdown and was diagnosed with schizophrenia when my beloved Grandpa was in a coma, hooked up to a respirator in the intensive care unit.  I was so distraught faced with his death when I was 22 that I had a breakdown.  The environment when I was growing up was not supportive to my mental health.  My parents were unable to give me consistent emotional support.

A theory closer to being proven is that people who are creative tend to develop schizophrenia.  There has now been found a link between creativity and schizophrenia.  I am an artist and a writer by the way.

Now as to the effect of schizophrenia: people who have a psychotic break often have hallucinations (see or hear things that aren't real), delusions, and paranoia which are all called positive symptoms because they are added to the person's experience.  Also present could be what's called negative symptoms because these take away from the person's ordinary experiences, such as a blunt affect or expressionless face and lack of motivation and social withdrawal.  A key effect seen in a lot of people diagnosed with schizophrenia is cognitive impairment in their thinking and memory.  Often the cognitive impairment predates the onset of schizophrenia.  The cogtnitive impairment is the true hallmark symptom of schizophrenia and as of yet there is also no cure for this symptom.

Lastly we cannot discount the disabling effect of stigma towards people diagnosed with schizophrenia who might not seek help for fear other people will think they're "crazy."  The untold cost of stigma and the cost of the disability is seen in how people view their chances of being able to recover.  Peers who are ole models can provide hope and dignity for fellow sufferers.

Feel free to read my SharePosts and my profile and the SharePosts and profiles of other community members to get an idea about the hope and dignity of people diagnosed with this illness and their family members.

Have a good night.

Regards,

Christina