Schizophrenia is genetic, should you be worried? Updated
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Should you worry about the hereditary nature of the disorder? This is a question healthcare professionals have faced for years, and studies show that it comes down to the genetic make-up of a person living with the disorder.
Schizophrenia is known to be passed down through generations, but no single gene is responsible. Instead, it is a combination of genes that make people vulnerable and doesn’t always result in the onset of schizophrenia.
The shared genetics of family members
The risk of schizophrenia is that 1% of the general population may show symptoms. However, if a person has a First Degree Relative (FDR) such as a parent or sibling, the risk of developing schizophrenia rises to 10%. What’s more, if both parents were diagnosed with schizophrenia, the risk increases to 50%.