Schizophrenia

[NicB]

My friend went to a therapist a few months ago who told him that if he didn't stop smoking marijuana when he did (he smoked heavily for about 5 years straight), he would have gotten Shizophrenia. He apparently "opened the door" to schizophrenia, and was about to walk through. He was on the verge. Very close. In fact, he has mild symptoms of it to this day.
He's a great guy with a great soul, and the anxiety and negative assumptions that he can make sometimes can hold him back, which is a shame to see, since he's so great deep down. So, since he's a close friend of mine, it sparked my interest in the topic.
I suppose i want to help.

I did some research on it on the internet (i knew essentially nothing about it) and was surprised to find how uncertain all the info on it is, and how varrying the theories were. I was surprised that there is no clear reason as to what causes it, and how to help fix it.

How can this be? Schizophrenia isn't exactly a rare disease. There's GOT to be a definite cause and cure. I know that marijuana can contribute to it (among other contributors too), but there's got to be a sub-reason as to WHY/HOW this happens.

But what do you think they are? What is your theory on it?

[Airana]

Hi NicB

If you type into Google: schitzophrenia gluten, you will come up with heaps of sites explaining the link. Gluten is implicated in various mental health disorders, not to mention hundreds of other medical ailments. The information is out there but it's not getting through to those who need and/or want to know. I've provided you with a link for your information. You can go on from there. Good to know you care enough about your friend to try and find an answer.

Gluten Intolerance Linked to Schizophrenia

[Airana]

Hi again NicB

I should have added this to my first message. Most people have no idea that they are gluten intolerant. Previously, the main symptom was diarrhoea and this led to people being diagnosed with celiac disease. They too are gluten intolerant, but there is another variety of sufferer who doesn't display any of the obvious symptoms. Sadly, many people are suffering from diseases that a gluten free diet would cure them of. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye. Oats are usually discluded in a gluten free diet also mainly due to the fact that they are usually milled on a line where gluten containing grains have been milled previously. Here are a couple of other links concerning GI. There are many more, and more comprehensive sites out there also.

Gluten intolerance: a paradigm of an epidemic | Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients | Find Articles at BNET

The Gluten File - The Gluten File www.theglutenfile.com A collection of articles, abstracts, and websites related to

[Annya]

There are a number of reasons why schizophrenia cannot be "pinned down".

-cause can be genetic, environmental or both (a genetic predisposition/diatheiss stress), or developmental and as you mentioned the use of narcotics/marijuana especially...
-it manifests itself differently and out of different circumstances for different people, also different types, paranoid, catatonic, disorganized etc. at varying degrees.
-Psychiatry, especially biopsychiatry is relatively new in comparison to other "established" sciences

I'm assuming that studies are hard to conduct and especially difficult to replicate. As far as I can recall schiz has incidence with other psych disorders. Treatment is usually with strong drugs and I'm of the mindset that drugs should be one of the last lines of treatment before surgery or ect mostly due to side effects and dependence. I am going to go with the diathesis-stress model for the cause. The person has to have some form of genetic predisposition for the disease and I do think that heratibility factor for schiz is quite high. But I also think that environment plays a huge role, I've learned before that overly critical/negative environment or someone raised with avoidant or disorganized attachment style of parenting can be a factor (along with genetics). As far as diet is concerned it hasn't been proven and for now is I think ruled out except for celiacs.

I would definitely suggest that your friend try CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) especially since his symptoms are not severe and he could benefit from it. I think speaking to a caring and considerate and most especially qualified (for schiz symp.) psychologist (NOT psychiatrist) would help even if its just talk therapy for starters.

As for the varying theories and all the confusing info, its not just for psych disorders. I have never come across anything in medicine yet that is 100%, that's just the nature of it and the nature of medical science but that doesn't mean that whats available isn;t useful, I think we are actually quite close to pinpointing the specific genes involved. Good luck to you and your friend.

[NicB]

Interesting points.

Another angle i've been thinking about, is that perhaps schizophrenia could having something to do with a chakra misbalance. Thoughts?

[aggie]

i never did a lot of research on it but i came very close to it with an ex who was borderline according to a therapist we saw jointly.

he had almost all of the above possible causes in his "favor."

he smoke pot, though not that heavily. he had a very difficult time tolerating alchohol...became combative and violent and go into fugue states.

he had depressive/add disorder that he had been treated for and his therapist told him he should always be on meds, but he wouldn't take.

when he took wellbutrin he became suicidal.

really severe paranting issues with his mother.

at times was totally out of touch with reality and believed his own lies.

i loved him and if he wanted help, which he would never admit or realize while i was with him, i was told by therapist it would be at least 5 years of treatment. but since he didn't think he had a problem and was abusive and let me know he really didn't want the relationship, i left.

good luck to your friend. they are lucky to have your support.