Furious Seasons

December 05, 2005

To Clarify a Point

A commenter notes that schizophrenia is genetic regardless of what's said in the previous post. There's no question that there is a genetic component to the illness. The real question is whether it is solely genetic in its causes or whether something else is going on. The article I had linked to points to a growing sense in the psych community that schizophrenia may be caused by environmental factors. Also, the famous Fuller Torrey continues researching a connection between children picking up viruses from cats that leads to schizophrenia--no I am not kidding...and yes he is a credible researcher, as out there as his hypothesis seems. Whatever the exact cause, enough psych researchers have told me that they feel schizophrenia is only about 50 percent genetically-caused to where I think it is important for all of us to consider that it may be the work of something interacting with genes, and that meds alone isn't going to address the entire situation. I find that both hopeful and scary. What do you think?

Posted by Philip Dawdy at December 5, 2005 01:53 PM

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Comments

It's very interesting to me that schziophrenia may not be entirely connected with genes. But I guess it's the same type of thing for all mental disopostions -- I know for instance with autism, they aren't sure of all the factors that contribute and many doctors do believe it may be some sort of infant virus.

But I am aware of this: I have read some of Fuller Torey's work, and he makes it very clear that people with schziphrenia NEED medication, REGARDLESS of where the illness is coming from. One thing has nothing to do with the other.

But I'm not sure where you're going with this idea: Do you mean that the no med thing is cool for people who already have schizophrenia...or do you mean that it is only in relation to trying to prevent the illness?

If it's for preventive matters, then yah, I completely agree that we need something other than meds to treat schizophrenia...but if it's for peole who already have the illness...well, that I'm not so sure.

What are your thoughts?

Posted by: Gwen Davis at December 5, 2005 05:56 PM

what no med thing? i have nowhere made the argument for no meds. and of course torrey says schizophrenics need meds. i say the same thing. bipolars need them too. we just need ones that don't come with such complications

Posted by: Dawdy at December 5, 2005 10:48 PM