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Stress management includes approaches that reduce demands, strengthen resources or change how a person responds to pressure. Options can involve practical problem-solving, relaxation, structured routines, psychological therapy and support from trusted people. The most useful…Continue Reading

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The vulnerability–stress model describes psychosis as emerging through interactions between susceptibility and demands. Susceptibility may involve genetic, developmental or other factors, while stress includes social, psychological and physical pressures. Protective influences, such as reliable support…Continue Reading

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The stress response involves coordinated activity across the brain, autonomic nervous system and hormonal systems. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis helps regulate cortisol, while sympathetic activation contributes to changes in heart rate and alertness. These systems adapt…Continue Reading

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Chronic stress results from demands that persist, such as financial insecurity, unsafe housing, discrimination or ongoing conflict. Repeated strain can affect sleep, physical health and the capacity to manage everyday tasks. In schizophrenia, these pressures…Continue Reading

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Acute stress is a response to an immediate challenge, such as conflict, illness, an unfamiliar setting or a sudden loss. Attention narrows, bodily arousal increases and the person prepares to respond. These reactions can be…Continue Reading

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Synaptic pruning is the selective reduction and reorganisation of connections between nerve cells. It is part of normal development and helps refine neural networks. One schizophrenia hypothesis proposes that altered pruning, possibly involving immune-related mechanisms…Continue Reading

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Adolescence involves substantial changes in neural connections, hormonal systems and social demands. Networks supporting planning, emotional regulation and reward continue to develop. Because schizophrenia often becomes apparent around late adolescence or early adulthood, researchers investigate…Continue Reading

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Childhood development includes changes in language, movement, learning and social understanding. Studies of schizophrenia sometimes identify average developmental differences before illness onset, but these findings overlap extensively with ordinary variation and other conditions. They cannot…Continue Reading

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Prenatal brain development includes the production, migration and early organisation of nerve cells. Researchers study whether conditions during pregnancy can influence later susceptibility to schizophrenia. Areas of investigation include genetic factors, maternal health, nutrition and…Continue Reading