Final answer:
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness treated with lifelong medication, and research identifies both genetic and environmental factors in its development. Studies show higher rates of schizophrenia in individuals with a genetic predisposition who are raised in disturbed environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental health disorder that impacts approximately 1% of the population in the United States. It is characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and challenges in distinguishing between reality and imagination. The treatment of schizophrenia often involves antipsychotic medications that work to block dopamine receptors and regulate dopamine neurotransmission. However, these treatments do not cure the condition and are usually life-long necessities for patients.
An interesting study that contributes to our understanding of schizophrenia is one conducted by Tienari and colleagues, which investigated the role of both genetic predisposition and environmental factors in the development of schizophrenia. The study found a significantly higher likelihood of developing schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder among adoptees whose biological mothers had schizophrenia and who were raised in a disturbed family environment—the rate was 36.8%. This is in comparison to adoptees with a high genetic risk but raised in healthy environments (5.8%), as well as those with a low genetic risk regardless of the environment (5.3% in disturbed environments, 4.8% in healthy environments).
This research supports the idea that both genetic vulnerability and environmental stress are necessary factors for the manifestation of schizophrenia, indicating that a comprehensive approach considering both genetic and environmental influences—also known as the gene-environment interaction view—is critical in understanding and treating this disorder.