Factsheets Am I at risk of Developing Psychosis?

We all have some level of risk of developing psychosis. Some of us are at high risk while others are at less risk. Your depends on many things, some young people have all these risk factors and never get psychosis and other young people can have only one or two and exeperience psychosis.

The risk factors

A family history of schizophrenia

The closer related you are to a family member with schizophrenia, the higher level of risk.

 Both Parents46.3% 
 Your Identical Twin40-50% 
 One Parent12.8% 
 Brother or Sister10.1% 
 Uncle / Aunt2.8% 
 Nephew / Neice2.8% 

 

Cannabis or marijuana use

Some people experience Weird Stuff or psychotic symptoms after they smoke cannabis. This usually goes away when you stop smoking it. If this keeps happening or starts to get worse, it would be a good idea to stop smoking cannabis.

Cannabis use increases your risk of developing psychosis or schizophrenia. You are at an even higher risk if you have a family member with a history of schizophrenia or have had psychosis in the past.

Cannabis use makes the psychotic symptoms of people with psychosis or schizophrenia worse.

Stress

How stressed out you are feeling and how well you cope with stress and life in general.

Getting Help

There is lots of help available for young people with psychosis. It is important that if you don’t feel that things are right for you, that you get help sooner rather than later. We know that the earlier young people get help, the better.