Tips that may lower your (or your child's) chances of getting schizophrenia

(Special Thanks to Dr. Pat McGorry and his team at the University of Melbourne, and Dr. Tom McGlashan and Dr. Scott Woods at Yale University for reviewing and providing input on this information.)

This overview on preventing schizophrenia is designed for family members of people with schizophrenia but may be of use to anyone interested in lowering their risk of getting schizophrenia. More information on preventing schizophrenia

• Pregnancy-related Schizophrenia Risk Factors (and Risk Reduction Approaches)
  
  
  • Maternal infections and Flu during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of Schizophrenia
  
  
  
  • Pregnancy and baby delivery complications are associated with increased risk of schizophrenia
    
    
  • Genital/ reproductive infections (including sexually transmitted diseases, STDs) around the time of conception or in the first few weeks of pregnancy are linked to a 500% higher risk of schizophrenia for the child.
  
  
  
  • Having Genital Herpes (for a mother) during pregnancy is associated with increased risk for the child of developing schizophrenia
  
  
  
  • Pregnant women's exposure to Cats who have the Taxoplasmosis Gondii parasite may increase risk of the child getting schizophrenia later in life
  
  
  
  • Maternal-fetal Rh blood incompatibility associated with 100% Increased Risk of Developing Schizophrenia for Offspring
    
    
  • Lead, Alcohol and other Toxic Exposures to Pregnant Women may Triple Risk of Schizophrenia for Child
  
  
  
  • Use of Painkillers (e.g. Aspirin) during Pregnancy have been linked to 500% higher risk of Schizophrenia
  
  
  
  • Maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of schizophrenia for the children
  
  
  
  • Breast Feeding Your Baby may Reduce Risk for Schizophrenia
  
  
  
  • Excess Body Weight of Mother during pregnancy (above normal healthy pregnancy levels) is associated with a higher risk of child's development of schizophrenia in later life.
  
  
  
  • Low Birth Weight Infants May Have Increased Risk for Schizophrenia
  
  
  
  • Season of Birth - Mother's Low Sunlight Exposure/Lack of Vitamin D is associated with higher risk of schizophrenia in child.
  
  
  
  • Older Age of Father increases risk of Schizophrenia in child.
  
  
  
  • Celiac Disease (wheat allergy) May Slightly Increase Schizophrenia Risk for Certain Individuals - reducing early exposure to wheat may reduce a child's chances of developing allergic reaction
  
  
  
  • Choline Supplementation During Pregnancy May Improve Brain Function and Reduce Schizophrenia Risk
  
  
  
  • Low Folic Acid levels during pregnancy may increase risk of schizophrenia in child
  
  
  
  • X-ray Radiation During Pregnancy (from medical X-rays, Intercontinental Flights, etc.) may increase risk of schizophrenia for child
    
    
    
• Child and Adult Schizophrenia Risk Factors (and Risk Reduction Approaches)
  

• Lower Level of Stress for Child while growing up May Significantly Lower Schizophrenia Risk
  
  

• Marijuana /Cannabis (and other street drugs) are Linked to Increased Risk of getting Schizophrenia



• Social Stress associated with immigration may Increase Risk of schizophrenia
  
  

• Social Adversity during childhood linked to Increased Schizophrenia Risk
  
  

• Social isolation during childhood, teen, and early adult years is linked to increased Schizophrenia Risk
  
  
• Enriched Educational, Nutrition and Social Environments Lower the Risk of Schizophrenia



• Child Abuse (physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and emotional neglect) have been linked with many psychiatric disorders, and some psychologists are suggesting it may be a significant causal factor in schizophrenia
  
  
• Breast Fed Babies may have a Reduced Risk for Schizophrenia
  
  
• Vitamin D supplementation in boys during first year of life is associated with a lower risk of schizophrenia.
  
  
• Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency and resulting lipid membrane abnormalities may increase risk of schizophrenia
  
  
• Childhood Exposure to Cats with the the T. Gondi parasite may increase schizophrenia risk.
  
  
• Country living (vs. City living) between ages 0 and 15 years, is linked to lower schizophrenia risk
  
  
• Celiac Disease ("wheat allergy") May Slightly Increase Risk of Schizophrenia for Certain Individuals - those affected may alleviate their symptoms with a gluten-free diet.
  
  
• Nicotine Use by Younger Adults May Reduce Schizophrenia Risk later in life
  
  
• Exposure to X-ray Radiation During Early Childhood (under age 5) may result in higher risk of schizophrenia for child
  
  
• Antioxidant Intake may reduce risks of schizophrenia and decrease side effects of medications