Risk factors

Although the precise cause of schizophrenia isn't known, certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering schizophrenia, including:

• Having a family history of schizophrenia
• Increased immune system activation, such as from inflammation
• Older age of the father
• Some pregnancy and birth complications, such as malnutrition or exposure to toxins or viruses that may impact brain development
• Taking mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs during teen years