“The strongest predictors for future schizophrenia are a family history and previous criminality.” (NIMH.NIH.gov) I believe this suggests that the nature vs. nurture debate in psychiatry cannot be clear. It is not one sided. It’s difficult for a person who researches the subject of schizophrenia to find clear and solid answers. It often seems that scientific theories are more relevant to a researcher’s politics than they are to his findings. This is specifically notable regarding the cause of schizophrenia. On one hand, you have researchers and mental health advocates who claim no findings of brain chemistry, have been scientifically validated as a cause of schizophrenia. Among these are esteemed journalists and scientists. Their claim is that the modern theory in psychiatry was simply manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. There are even some who cite statistics that suggest modern medicines have only made a mental health prognosis worse and not better. Pharmaceutical companies fund research. They make their money from developing new medications with “supposed” benefits. I recognize this fact and try to educate myself to better form my own opinions on this subject. I’m not easily swayed as to believe that modern psychiatry is a fraud. I have seen firsthand my own downward spiral from going off medications. And I don’t feel like a zombie when taking them, so for now, I’m medication compliant. Right now, the latest buzz in psychiatry is the discovery of mutated genes that have been linked to the development of schizophrenia. Scientists have just recently found genetic markers common to schizophrenia. These genetic markers are also common among the intellectually impaired. Both genes TOP3B and 7p11.23 are found to be mutated among schizophrenics, autistics, and those with Fragile X syndrome (UCLA News Room). One study looked closely at the north of Finland where a high rate of schizophrenia was traced to the TOP3B gene. Schizophrenia was three times more common in the area of Finland that was studied. Extracts Read More ➤ Photo by Vermont Views Magazine "Action!"
Posted on: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 13:19:06 +0000
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