I have never experienced any significant trauma but still developed schizophrenia.

Some people are destined to develop schizophrenia and others may or may not depending on life events.

The positive stress of entering college perhaps led to my first psychiatric symptoms.

Marijuana use, even one time, can lead to an ongoing psychosis where antipsychotic medication is needed.

When I present my story of full recovery from schizophrenia, I am often asked the question, “What trauma brought on your schizophrenia?”

The answer is simple: I have never experienced any significant trauma or neglect. Of course, everyone has bad days. But there was never any significant abuse, bullying, or painful breakups with a significant other.

People with and without schizophrenia make up a spectrum. Most people will not develop schizophrenia, even if they endure severe hardship. On the other hand, people like me have schizophrenia encoded in their DNA (or at least this is what my doctors believe). No matter what happens to us in life, we are going to develop the illness. This group is part of the 1 percent of people worldwide who develop schizophrenia.

Then there are individuals in the middle of the spectrum. These people may or may not develop psychosis, depending on their life experience, as well as their developmental experience during gestation. Unborn babies with a mom who has diabetes or other health conditions will be at a much higher risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. If there is any difficulty or trauma as a........

© Psychology Today