The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown but a combination of genetics, environment, and altered brain chemistry and structure may play a significant role in its development. Besides, the inheritance pattern is not known. However, the risk of developing schizophrenia is higher among individuals with family member who has schizophrenia compared to the general population. Most individuals with a close relative with schizophrenia will, however not develop the disorder themselves. Genetically, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders have some similarities in that the two share similar risk genes. A predisposition to schizophrenia can run in families. However, in the general population, only one percent o individuals develop it over their lifetime, but if one of the parents had schizophrenia, the children have a 10 percent chance o developing schizophrenia. In the case scenario, the patient has a family history positive for a first cousin who “had mental problems”, implying that he is also at high risk for schizophrenia.
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