Am I at risk of developing schizophrenia if my sibling has it? - ProProfs Discuss
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Am I at risk of developing schizophrenia if my sibling has it?

Asked by Lexi, Last updated: Apr 12, 2024

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7 Answers

G. Jabez

G. Jabez

G. Jabez
G. Jabez

Answered Jan 05, 2021

If your sibling has schizophrenia, there is about a ten percent chance that you could have it, and if your sibling is an identical twin, then you have a fifty, fifty chance. When you have a parent or sibling, your chances are greater of inheriting the disorder at ten percent risk. If both parents have this diagnosis, then it is the same as the identical twin at fifty percent. Not just genetics come into play for potential causes.

Brain chemistry, substance use, and autoimmune diseases or inflammation can contribute to the onset of schizophrenia. Research has proven that heredity or genetics can be an essential factor in the development of this disease. Although this disorder's exact cause is unknown, people who have a relative with schizophrenia tend to have a higher risk of developing it.

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Yashu Dhiman

Yashu Dhiman

I'm a professional writer. I express through my blog and I keep searching for fresh content over the Internet.

Yashu Dhiman
Yashu Dhiman, Content Writer, Diploma in Literature, Noida, India

Answered Dec 29, 2020

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that makes it so that the brain cannot decipher truth from fiction and real or not real. People who suffer from it will often hear voices or see things that are not there. The possibility for schizophrenia is about one in every one hundred people. It is thought to be determined by genetics and environment working in synergy.

This outcome means that it runs in families and while your chances of procuring this illness because of a familial reason, you can do things to make your mind stronger. You can exercise and eat right and do something to clear your mind of things that stress you out. If you have a sister or brother with it, you have about a 10 percent chance of having it too. The probabilities are not so stacked up against you that you have no control over it.

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E. Reyes

E. Reyes

Building buildings and building intelligence

E. Reyes
E. Reyes, Builder, graduate, Birmingham

Answered Dec 23, 2020

You may be at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia if you have a sibling who also has it but it is not as high as you may think. Do remember that there are no known or scientifically proven reasons why this develops but there are some factors that may be related to it.

For example, there are some people who may develop it because of the environment that they are exposed to. They may also become exposed to too much stress and fatigue that they would need to find a way in order to cope. There are some who may develop it because of emotional trauma or a life-changing event.

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C. Hughes

C. Hughes

Learning new things along with my music

C. Hughes
C. Hughes, Musician, MA, Bradford

Answered Dec 22, 2020

It would depend on the age of your siblings. If you have siblings who are five years older than you that have developed schizophrenia, this means that you have a higher risk of developing this condition too. If the sibling that you have who is diagnosed with schizophrenia is already 10 years older, you have a lesser chance of developing this condition.

There is always a higher chance of a first−born child developing schizophrenia as compared to someone who is older. There are also more chances of developing this condition when you have a parent who has it. The probability increases to about 10%. There are various symptoms of schizophrenia that can be properly diagnosed so that the right treatments can be recommended.

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Anthony Paul Bonadio

Anthony Paul Bonadio

Its kind of my job to give answers

Anthony Paul Bonadio
Anthony Paul Bonadio, Teacher, MCA, PhD, Toledo

Answered Dec 18, 2020

You are developing schizophrenia because your sibling has it is not really as high as you might think. So, don't be afraid. Schizophrenia refers to a mental disorder that affects one's ability to feel, think, and behave normally.

Though there has not been a particular cause discovered for schizophrenia, it is known to be associated with environment, genetics; and altered structure or chemistry of the brain can also have its effect in causing schizophrenia. Yeah, you might still be wondering, "but this disorder is associated with genetics."

When a family member of yours, such as your sibling or even parent, develops schizophrenia, there is only a ten percent (10%) possibility that you might develop it also. You can see it is not much. So, the chance is minimal, very minimal. This disorder may not really have a specific cure, though, but it can still be treated medically.

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Noah

Noah

Driving down to Knowledge town

Noah
Noah , Chauffer, LA

Answered Dec 16, 2020

Schizophrenia is a brain illness that makes it difficult for someone to differentiate between what is real and what is not real. Schizophrenia is characterized by abnormal emotion, thinking, perception, and behavior. It is said that the risk of developing schizophrenia is about two in two hundred people, meaning this condition is not very common. However, more researches have shown that the risk of developing schizophrenia is higher in those who are related by blood. The reason is that schizophrenia is believed to be caused by genetics. This means if your brother or sister has schizophrenia, you are ten times more likely to develop it. However, this does not mean you would automatically develop this condition if any of your siblings have it already; it is only telling you that you are more likely to develop it than someone from another family. It is also said that the risk of developing schizophrenia is 50 percent in identical twins.
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M. Delilah

M. Delilah

M. Delilah
M. Delilah

Answered Dec 11, 2020

It has been said that people who have a brother or sister with schizophrenia are ten times more likely to acquire schizophrenia than those whose families do not maintain a history of it. Researchers also concluded that bipolar disorder is another common mental illness that can run in families. Many extensive studies indicate that the risks of developing certain mental disorders are more prevalent between siblings.

However, cause and effect were not proven. Among individuals who have a sibling with schizophrenia, the risk of inheriting a schizoaffective disorder increased six-fold to eightfold. Siblings of people who have a mental illness were four times more likely to be affected by bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric problems.

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