Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that tends to run in families. Genetics can contribute to a person having schizophrenia, alongside many other causes.
Schizophrenia may not skip a generation since genetics are part of the causes. Still, it is usually a combination of genes and other causes, meaning it differs for each person and their family.
A person may be more likely to have schizophrenia due to:
- disruption of brain development during pregnancy or early childhood
- stressful life events such as abuse, death in the family, money issues, or homelessness
- involvement in drug and alcohol misuse
- issues with brain chemistry
A person cannot know if they will have a child with schizophrenia since the exact causes are unknown. However, considering the above issues, they can know if they have a high chance of developing it.
