Sara was crying during a video call with a psychiatrist. Her 22-year-old son was just diagnosed with schizophrenia. Weeping for her son, she remembers the most trying memories of his life, like the divorce and the poor state of finances; the time she had to do three jobs just to keep food on the table. She starts questioning herself, “Was it my fault?” “Is my son’s diagnosis of schizophrenia due to the trauma he faced in childhood?”
What Sarah asks is a question that many people have when they get diagnosed. The answer is not simply a yes or no. In fact, research suggests that trauma is indeed a very significant factor in the development of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.
Every year, schizophrenia affects about 1 out of 100 people, making it one of the most serious health concerns facing the world. Note that help and treatment are available. Therefore, if you or someone you love is experiencing hallucinations (usually hearing voices) or delusions, it’s best to consult a schizophrenia psychiatrist for clarity and solutions. Continue reading to understand how schizophrenia can be caused by trauma.
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Trauma-induced schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a disorder in which one’s brain makes them believe in things that seem entirely real to them, even though they are not seen or heard by others. You might be the one who can hear voices talking to you when no one is next to you. You might be feeling like people are watching you or making plans to harm you, although the fact is that you are safe.
These are not your fault. Your brain is trying to understand the world, but it sometimes gets confused. Imagine it as an unnecessary car alarm that triggers panic signals when there is no danger. The alarm works, but it is oversensitive.
Common things people with schizophrenia experience:
- Hear voices, which sound real
- Feel like someone is following them
- Believe that their thoughts are controlled by someone else
- See things others do not see
- Find it difficult to think clearly
In a study made on several thousand people, scientists found that individuals who were abused as children were almost three times more likely to become schizophrenic later in life.
How does childhood trauma affect the brain?
Childhood trauma leaves lasting scars on the mind that can stay with many people for a lifetime, perhaps even into old age. Imagine a sapling that has been bent by a strong wind. As it grows, it might just stay bent that way. The same happens with the growing brain of a child.
When kids are subjected to long-term stress or trauma, their bodies produce stress hormones like cortisol. Although the reaction helps them in immediate danger, constant exposure can disrupt brain metabolism. The brain parts that are predominantly affected are:
- Hippocampus, which plays a major role in memory and learning
- The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for processing emotions and decision-making
- The ones that control stress responses
Suppose a child’s brain is always on full alert. Instead of making good progress, the child would shift all energy to self-protection. This doesn’t mean that this impairment is permanent, but it is important to explain how trauma can become ingrained in the mind and impact the person within it.
Childhood trauma can include being intentionally, naturally, and deliberately harmed in different circumstances. If childhood trauma occurs through various means, let’s say:
- Emotional neglect (e.g., the child does not get their natural need for love and attention met)
- Physical abuse (e.g., hit, hurt, or harmed by caregivers)
- Sexual abuse (e.g., the child was exposed to inappropriate sexual contact)
- Physical neglect, such as basic needs like food, shelter, and medical care required were not provided
- Emotional abuse (e.g., never-ending criticism, constant threats, or being made to feel like a failure)
Many studies have found that the most prevalent form of trauma is emotional neglect among people who later develop schizophrenia.
Why do some people develop schizophrenia, and others do not?
Whether some people develop schizophrenia and others do not, is depends on a combination of factors. Typically, people have a genetic defect that is related to stress resistance in the brain. It is like a more accurate ticking time bomb.
However, the genes are not the only ones responsible or necessary and sufficient to determine. Many people with schizophrenia do not have it at all, even if the condition was in the family genes. Often, this is because they were raised in an environment where trigger factors were predictable and calm. At the same time, other people with no schizophrenia history still can develop it if they have gone through trauma, specifically during the crucial periods of their brain development.
The impact on daily life
Individuals with schizophrenia typically encounter difficulties every day. Their memory, attention, and problem-solving ability become impaired if the condition is left unaddressed. Handling social situations becomes difficult. Thus, maintaining relationships may require extra effort.
Nonetheless, it is important to understand that these problems do not define a person’s value or potential. Many people with schizophrenia learn skills to deal with their problems. With the right support and treatment, they can live happy, productive lives.
Schizophrenia and trauma treatment
When psychiatric professionals are informed about a patient’s history of being traumatized, they can develop a treatment plan that targets both trauma and the mental health symptoms. Therapeutic approaches that have trauma history as a precursor are usually more successful than those that focus on the ongoing symptoms only.
Therefore, for those people who have been through the trauma or are worried about their mental health, professional assistance is a crucial first step. With telepsychiatry, consulting with a mental health expert, such as a board-certified psychiatrist or child psychiatrist (who understands the psychology of children better), is also available online for complete diagnosis and treatment.
GABA Telepsychiatry provides 24/7 psychiatric care, including same-day, weekend, or emergency psychiatrist appointments online. Mental health experts can provide the right assessment, medication, and ongoing support to people by helping them clarify their experiences and thus support the healing process.
Keep in mind that seeking help says you are strong, not weak. Early identification and intervention can create a significant difference. Effective mental health care given to trauma-affected and at-risk young people may help to prevent the formation or reduce the severity of serious mental health conditions altogether.
