Useful Resources
Back to main page for additional professionals resources
The Theories of the Causes of Psychosis
What makes some people more vulnerable than others?
Inborn vulnerability
Such as a genetic predisposition (Kendler & Diehl, 1993)
Acquired vulnerability
Specific to individual life experience.
Can include: specific disease, such as differences in brain structure (Scharma & Chitnis, 2000); perinatal complications (such as viral infections) (Mednick et al, 1988); stressful family experiences, bereavement, sexual abuse and other previous life events (Allen, 2000).
The theories of the causes of psychosis
Personality Traits
|
Important Life events
|
|
Early Experiences |
PSYCHOSIS
|
Social Isolation |
Genetic Disposition
|
Physical Diseases |
References
- Allen, J.G. (2001) Traumatic Relationships and Serious Mental Disorder. Chichester: Wiley
- Kendler, K.S.,Diehl, S.R.(1993) The Genetics of Schizophrenia: a current genetic epidemiologic perspective. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 19, 261-265
- Mednick, S.A., Machon, R.A., Huttenen, M.O. et al (1988) Adult schizophrenia following prenatal exposure to an influenza virus Arch General Psychiatry, 45, 189-192
- Scharma, T. & Chitnis, X. (2000) Brain Imaging in Schizophrenia: insights and applications. London: ReMEDICA
