I've always suspected there's a genetic factor involved...after all, real schizophrenia is a mental illness (or combination) caused at least partly by a physical problem, so it only stands to reason that one can be born with a predisposition to have a chemical imbalance, kist like a predisposition for myopia or anemia.
I suspect that recreational drugs are also a factor in triggering symptoms in some people predisposed to it....because they act by causing a chemical imbalance. I've noticed heavy drug and alcohol use goes hand in hand with the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. I know my brother did both and still drinks heavily, and so do most of the people like him that I've met. They may be self medicating, but at what point did recreational drugs stop being recreational and start being an attempt to shut the voices up so you can hear yourself think?
I am not a phychologist, just pointing out some observations I've made over the decades.
You raise good points.
Yes, there is a genetic marker for schizophrenia. I don’t recall all the details in terms of what percentage of the full blown schizophrenia is understood to be caused by the genetic predisposition.
And, even there . . .
Scripture says THE SINS OF THE FATHERS . . . VISITED UPON THE CHILDREN TO THE 3RD & 4TH GENERATION.
We don’t know fully what that means. But I think Pastor Wright’s A MORE EXCELLENT WAY book and ministry are finding out more details about that. Certainly that could end up in such things as genetic predispositions to alcoholism, schizophrenia etc.
We do know from RECENT RESEARCH that
WHAT WE THINK AND SAY CAN CHANGE EVEN OUR DNA.
Which brings new weight to the Scripture:
WHAT A MAN THINKS IN HIS HEART—SO IS HE.
The secular world has NO undestanding of such things and even most Christians don’t—even most Spirit-filled Christians don’t. Thankfully more is being revealed and understood in at least some circles.
More importantly, as Pastor Wright is finding out after fussing at God for years about only 5% of those he prayed for being healed—LIVING LIFE GOD’S WAY—AFFORDS GOD’S HEALTH AND BLESSINGS—ESPECIALLY ONCE THE SPIRITUAL WRONGS ARE RIGHTED AND ONE IS CHOOSING DAILY A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE.
God’s best to you and yours.