Schizophrenia is the most serious illness I deal with as a psychiatrist. At times, this illness is very difficult to diagnose. We make this diagnosis too frequently. Often, patients who are diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia really suffer from bipolar illness. Patients who suffer from bipolar illness often respond to mood stabilizers, like Lithium or Depokote, and have a relatively good prognosis.

Schizophrenia runs in families. One percent of the population suffers from this illness. If your mother or father suffers from schizophrenia, you have a 10 percent chance of developing the illness. If both parents suffer from schizophrenia, you have a 40 percent chance of suffering from schizophrenia. If you have an identical twin who suffers from schizophrenia, you have a 50 percent chance of developing the illness.

Genetic factors play a very big part in the causes of schizophrenia. These factors cause abnormal brain biochemistry.

The basic treatment plan in treating schizophrenia starts with the alteration of abnormal brain chemistry by use of medications.

Psychiatrists have used antipsychotic medications for years in the treatment of schizophrenia. In the 1950's, Thorazine was the first antipsychotic medication that became available. Since then, newer antipsychotic medications have been developed. The newer medications are classified under the term "atypical antipsychotic medications." Clozaril is the gold standard of these new medications.

As time goes, newer medications will be developed. I’m also hopeful that the genome project will be able to isolate the specific genes that cause schizophrenia and open up new and better ways of treating this illness.

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