Schizophrenia is often accompanied by prejudices and misunderstandings. A well-known research case from the 1960s shows what lies behind mental illness and how it may be caused.
In the 1960s, an extraordinary family lives in an idyllic house on the outskirts of Colorado Springs, in the US state of Colorado. But behind the façade of harmonious family life lies a serious blow of fate: over the years, six of the twelve sons develop schizophrenia – a serious mental disorder that profoundly affects how they think, feel and perceive. Here you can find out how schizophrenia manifests itself, what causes it can have and why it occurred so frequently in this family.
Schizophrenia: Prejudices and misunderstandings of the mental disorder
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 23 million people worldwide live with schizophrenia; in Germany there are currently around 800,000 people affected. This means that it is by no means a rare disease, as its prevalence is comparable to that of chronic rheumatism. Around one in 100 adults will develop this serious mental disorder in the course of their life – usually in adolescence or early adulthood – which is still accompanied by numerous prejudices and misunderstandings.
For a long time, schizophrenia was incorrectly equated with a “split personality”. Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists (BPtK) explained. However, this idea is incorrect. Rather, the disease is characterized by: Hallucinations – especially hearing voices -, Delusions such as paranoia and formal ones Thought disorders with erratic or incoherent trains of thought. Many sufferers also report the feeling that their thoughts are being read by others or entered from outside. Depressive moods, lack of motivation or severe inner restlessness often occur.
Causes of schizophrenia
The causes of the complex disease are still not fully understood. However, experts believe that an interaction of various biological, psychological and social factors can contribute to its development. These include in particular:
- Genetic factors: There is a significantly increased risk if close relatives already suffer from schizophrenia. Studies show that children from affected families are significantly more likely to develop a psychotic disorder themselves.
- Neurobiological factors: Disturbances in brain development – for example as a result of complications during pregnancy or around birth -, neurological diseases and brain damage caused by the consumption of alcohol or drugs can increase the risk.
- Psychosocial factors: Stressful life events such as the loss of close relatives, ongoing family conflicts, unemployment or permanent stress at work are considered possible triggers. Such stress can promote illness, especially if there is existing genetic or biological vulnerability.
- Other risk factors: The use of cannabis or amphetamines, migration experiences, growing up or living in highly urbanized environments with high levels of noise and stimulation, and reduced stress tolerance are also associated with an increased risk of disease.
- Genetic factors:
There is a significantly increased risk if close relatives already suffer from schizophrenia. Studies show that children from affected families are significantly more likely to develop a psychotic disorder themselves.
Since schizophrenia was common in the American Galvin family, their fate made them a highly-noticed research case. The clustering of cases in a single family provided a unique opportunity to study the role of genetics and heredity.
6 out of 12 children suffer from schizophrenia: The Galvin family
In some of the six affected sons, the disease progresses gradually, while in others it begins abruptly. The Galvin family lives in a time when schizophrenia is still largely a mystery to medicine. Therapy attempts with psychotropic drugs and electric shock treatments characterize treatment practice, while research into the causes fluctuates between outdated theories – such as the idea of an “over-dominant mother” – and initial genetic explanations.
In the ZDF program “Terra Xplore” Psychologist Leon Windscheid explains how the Galvin family increasingly came into the focus of science in the 1980s. New York Times bestselling author Robert Kolker also worked on the exciting case in one Book on. Several research teams investigated the extraordinary case and finally came across a significant one genetic modification: a mutation in the “Shank2” gene, which plays a central role in signal transmission between nerve cells. This mutation is considered a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. According to information from German medical journal However, the disease probably only breaks out when other influencing factors come into play – such as certain environmental conditions or psychosocial stress.
Schizophrenia cannot be cured, but it can be easily treated
According to current medical knowledge, schizophrenia is generally not considered to be completely curable. However, thanks to modern therapy concepts, it can be easily treated in most cases. The aim is to alleviate acute symptoms, prevent relapses and ensure the long-term social participation of those affected. The treatment is based on several pillars. Drug therapy with antipsychotics (neuroleptics), which interfere with dopamine metabolism and can thus weaken or suppress hallucinations and delusions, plays a central role.
Modern active ingredients are generally better tolerated than previous preparations, but – as with all effective medications – side effects can occur. In addition, psychotherapeutic procedures are used to support dealing with the illness, as well as psychosocial help, for example in the areas of housing or work. With early diagnosis and ongoing care, many patients can lead stable and fulfilling lives.
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