
Does Stress Cause Schizophrenia?

He does consume small amounts of alcohol (learned by experience that he can't drink more than small amounts occasionally). He is in good health otherwise, but has a slender build. He does not accept criticism, he hold grudges and brings up past incidents often and childhood slights. He does not hit people, but has destroyed things like phones. He is socially astute, comfortable in crowds or presenting to a group. He is aware of and recognizes an occasional "victim mentality" in himself. He has a number of higher level credentials in our line of work (financial) that place him well above other age cohort peers. He has some trouble meeting deadlines.
I feel that his perceptions are somewhat skewed. I sense that he needs more than talk therapy, which he has had. His maternal grandmother (my mother) is schizophrenic. She was diagnosed in the mid 1970s and her disease is still active. She is 85 and takes Risperdal and although has some flattening of affect, is probably as functional as she has ever been. She has a Master's Degree (obtained while un-medicated),is musically talented and accomplished and taught Elementary Music until her disease progress made that untenable. She then taught private piano lessons until age 75. In other words, she coped fairly well punctuated by "incidents" and then responded very well to medication. Any attempt to take her off meds has been a disaster. I assumed her history is relevant. No other mental illness in family, although my husband had anger management issues when the kids were growing up (verbal).
I would like suggestions for further treatment. I would like to know if alcohol is totally contraindicated with Vyvanse. I would like a sense of the advisability of my two children running a business together. Would that be exceptionally stressful for him. At 29, is there still a chance of breaking with schizophrenia? Can stress induce that?
Mood disorder especially Bipolar disorder should be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I have read the query and i can understand your concern. As there is family history of Schizophrenia so to some extent he is at risk of developing any mental disorder. He is 29 and at this age onset of Schizophrenia is very unlikely. He is on Vyvanse and diagnosed with ADD. His behaviour like extreme anger, destroying things, accusing his sister, holding grudges etc suggest more towards some mood episode rather than psychotic episode. In Bipolar disorder individuals may present with similar picture. Other possibility for his symptoms is some personality disorder and a proper evaluation can help to rule out the condition. So I'd advise you to get him evaluated by a Psychiatrist to rule out the condition.
Mood stabilisers are drugs of choice for similar symptoms. Sodium Valproate, Lithium or low dose antipsychotics (Olanzapine, Risperidone etc) also act as mood stabilisers. These drugs help to reduce the anger, will stabilise the mood and to some extent will help to reduce the symptoms like holding grudges etc. Visit a psychiatrist for prescription of these drugs.
Alcohol is not totally contraindicated but it is not advisable to take alcohol with Vyvanse.
Any thing that hurts his ego can become stressful to him. Stress might increase the anger outbursts and may increase the anger but onset of psychosis at this age is very unlikely. So no need to fear from Schizophrenia as per my opinion. Proper treatment of his symptoms if done early will help to reduce the symptoms and he will start working with his sister without any fear. So most important thing that is advised is that he should undergo full evaluation and if needed should get proper treatment.
Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts or for clarifications in this answer.
Take care


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Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up.
Be assured, based upon the symptoms you have mentioned I have made this provisional diagnosis. The communication is totally confidential. Your XXXXXXX will not be visible to anyone. Even they will change the name after moderation. So remain relaxed for that.
Thanks. Take care

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