Schizophrenia, The Science Of

One other major type of schizophrenia is Paranoid Schizophrenia. The main character of this is delusions, and they are usually paranoid delusions. There are also hallucinations and there frequently episodes of voices inside the head. Catatonic schizophrenia has more of a physical notability. A rigid body, a very odd posture, and repetitive motioning are the main characteristics, which are together called catatonia. A catatonic schizophrenic is also very unresponsive to surroundings. There are two other types of schizophrenia, and they are Undifferentiated and Residual. Undifferentiated is characterized by symptoms that tend to match either none or more than one of the types of schizophrenia. Residual Schizophrenia is characterized by rare episodes of attack and then there are less severe symptoms after the initial attack.
             Scientists have developed dozens of theories to explain what causes this disease, but researchers are focusing on four leading theories. They are the Genetic Theory, the Environmental Theory, the Biochemical Theory, and the Bio-Psycho-Social Theory (Berkow). The Genetic Theory argues that schizophrenia is caused by traits in a person's genetic makeup. As we all know, a person has twenty-three pairs of chromosomes. Each pair contains one chromosome from each parent. In corresponding locations, called loci, of each chromosome the genes for specific traits are located. Some researchers believe that problems with these genes can cause schizophrenia. Problems in a person's genetic make up could come from mutated chromosomes or recessive genes. Studies have shown that children with one parent diagnosed with schizophrenia have a ten percent chance of suffering from schizophrenia (Highland Ridge Hospital). When both parents are schizophrenic their risk raises to about forty percent. The Environmental theory is a little tougher to defended. It is built mainly on the effects stress has on human behavior, however, most researchers agree that stress alone cannot be the main cause of schizophrenia.