The way schizophrenia starts is by way of a complex interplay of genetic vulnerability as well as environmental triggers, which often becomes apparent in late adolescence and or early adulthood when a persons experiences significant brain changes.
Things such as drug use, especially use of cannabis, stressful life events and certain complications during pregnancy can also trigger the onset of schizophrenia in people who are already predisposed to schizophrenia.
Early signs of schizophrenia can also be subtle and can include depression, social withdrawal and even problems with a person's hygiene and attention.
Having a family history of schizophrenia also increases a person's risk of developing schizophrenia, although schizophrenia does not always run in families.
And having imbalances in your brain chemicals like glutamate and dopamine imbalances, as well as having issues with brain development as well as connections, can play a role in the development of schizophrenia.
Major stressful life events, like losing a job, abuse or even bereavement and losing a loved one can also be triggers for schizophrenia.
Use of mind altering drugs, especially marijuana or cannabis, during adolescence, is also linked to a higher risk of developing schizophrenia.
And exposure to certain viruses or even malnutrition during pregnancy can also increase your risk of developing schizophrenia and research also suggests that living in a city might increase your risk of schizophrenia, especially for people who have a genetic disposition.
Early signs of schizophrenia are behavioral changes like social isolation, withdrawal from friends and family and a decline in personal hygiene.
Other signs of schizophrenia include.
Problems with concentration, lack of motivation and difficulty organizing your thoughts, and poor performance at school.
Emotional changes, which can include inappropriate emotional responses, flat affect or increased suspicion.
And subtle perceptual changes, in which the person might begin hearing or seeing things that others don't see or hear, although it can also be more prominent later on in the schizophrenia.
Males often show symptoms of schizophrenia in their late teens to early 20's and females are more likely to develop schizophrenia and show symptoms in their 30s.