The term "schizophrenia" is an inadequate and misleading diagnosis. "Disperceptions of unknown cause" is a better term. If one includes fevers, environmental aggravations and drug reactions, there are innumerable ways to "go crazy" and be diagnosed as "schizophrenic".

Causes & Development

1. Dementia paralytica
2. Pellagra
3. Porphyria
4. Hypothyroidism
5. Drug intoxications
6. Homocysteinuria
7. Folic acid/B12 deficiency
8. Sleep deprivation
9. Heavy metal toxicity

1. Hypoglycemia
2. Psychomotor epilepsy
3. Cerebral allergy
4. Wheat-gluten sensitivity
5. Histapenia - copper excess
6. Histadelia
7. Pyroluria
8. Wilson's disease
9. Chronic Candida infection
10. Huntington's chorea

1. Prostaglandins
   Prostaglandins ("prosta": standing before; "glandin": gland) are substances that act like hormones in the body. They effect blood pressure, metabolism, body temperature, and other important functions. Prostaglandin levels that are too high or too low can create symptoms. There are different kinds of prostaglandins with specific functions, thus different physical and mental reactions occur with imbalances in each one. Elevated prostaglandin levels have been observed in, for example, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Research has shown that high levels of a prostaglandin called E2 coupled with low levels of one called E1 have been seen as a major cause of certain forms of depression. E2 is a central nervous system depressant.
   
   It's been observed that geographical regions with low selenium levels in the soil and less sunshine have higher rates of "schizophrenia." Since some prostaglandins require selenium for their synthesis, it's believed prostaglandin deficiency may be a source of "schizophrenia."
    
2. Dopamine excess
   Dopamine is a substance involved with emotional and hormonal response and the integration of experience, emotion, and thought. Additionally, it stimulates the brain's pleasure center and is involved in sexual arousal. Dopamine appears to be a factor in producing hallucinations, voices and other symptoms associated with "schizophrenia." Those with histapenia (see above) often have elevated dopamine levels.
    
3. Endorphins
   Endorphins, discovered in 1975, are substances secreted in the brain. They have a pain-relieving and stress-relieving effect similar to morphine. Endorphin molecules lock onto receptors in the brain to remove the perception of pain.
   
   It has been shown that drugs which artificially stimulate and suppress the endorphin receptors can produce symptoms bordering on psychosis. Gluten molecules (see "Wheat-gluten Sensitivity" above) are molecularly similar in shape to endorphins and thus can create the same stimulatory/suppression activity. Certain dairy proteins have been shown to have similar qualities.
    
4. Serine excess
   Serine is an amino acid that is part of many proteins. It plays a critical role in maintaining blood sugar levels. It has a vital part in the production of the myelin sheath - the coating that protects certain nerve fibers.
   
   In numerous studies the plasma levels of serine have been found to be significantly higher in "schizophrenics" than in control groups. There is also evidence that serine metabolism is abnormal in psychotics. In one study a limited sector of psychiatric patients who responded to a carbohydrate-rich, low-protein diet became psychotic again after oral intake of serine.
    
5. Prolactin excess
   Prolactin is a hormone also known as luteotropic hormone. It comes from the pituitary gland and induces lactation. Non-pregnant women have low levels of it and it increases about ten times in pregnant women. When prolactin levels are excessive in non-pregnant women, the condition is known as hyperprolactinemia. This condition can produce a number of symptoms including lactation by a non-nursing woman and irregular or absent menstrual periods. Excess prolactin has been connected with pre-menstrual syndrome and a host of extreme mental states that can occur with it. In some people tranquilizers can increase prolactin levels.
    
6. Dialysis therapy
   Patients who undergo dialysis regularly may be exposed to high levels of aluminum in dialysis fluids and medicines. A reaction called dialysis encephalopathy can occur. (Encephalopathy is a general term for "brain disease.") What follows is a progressive mental degeneration manifested by tremors, convulsions, psychosis and other changes in speech and behavior. Reduction of aluminum levels significantly reduces the incidence of this problem.
    
7. Serotonin imbalance
   Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that transmits messages from one nerve to another. Too much or too little serotonin has been associated with depression, psychosis, and other problems. While drugs can be used to mask the symptoms of this problem, they do not solve the problem of the imbalance. Further medical inquiry in indicated in these situations to find the cause or to find nutritional supplementation that will permit the body to produce correct serotonin levels.
    
8. Leucine, histidine imbalance
   Leucine and histidine are essential amino acids (the body doesn't make them). The leucine, histidine imbalance - high leucine and low histidine - was a condition Pfeiffer theorized as being a cause of "schizophrenia." Modern research has shown, however, that leucine-histidine imbalance does not play a significant role.
    
9. Interferon, amantadine, anti-viral drugs
   A number of non-psychotropic drugs can create psychosis. It must be remembered that the nervous system is intimately connected with other bodily systems. Medical drugs can effect blood chemistry, hormonal balances, and a host of other areas that directly impact the brain and nervous system. Interferon is a treatment for hepatitis. An estimated 1-2% of interferon users manifest psychosis or suicidal behavior. Amantadine, a drug for Parkinson's Disease, can cause hallucinations, depression, jitteriness, and confusion. Caution is recommended in it's use in people with a history of psychosis. In anyone experiencing a psychotic episode, recent drug ingestion must be considered as a cause.
    
10. Platelets deficient in MAO (monoamine oxidase)