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In recent times, schizophrenia risk has been increasing gradually among people. It is a psychiatric disorder that affects an individual’s behavior, thought process, and emotions.
In the field of science, schizophrenia risk has been a topic of interest as well as concern for a prolonged period. Thus, to unveil the depths of schizophrenia risk, a study, performed at the University of Queensland in Australia, was undertaken.
Interestingly, the research revealed that owning a cat can increase schizophrenia risk. After spending four decades analyzing 17 different studies, the study concluded that cat owners are at higher risk of suffering from schizophrenia. This may be due to a parasite found in feline animals.
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How Cat Ownership Increases Schizophrenia Risk
As the study suggested, there is a link between cat ownership and an elevated schizophrenia risk. People who own cats are prone to the risk of developing schizophrenia-related conditions. After a lot of research, it was found that Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that causes this severe issue.
Toxoplasma gondii mainly attacks the human body, and it can enter through several ways such as a cat biting, contact with its bodily fluids, or ingesting it through impure water or undercooked meat. This parasite contaminates the nervous system, which impacts negatively on the neurotransmitters, while the infected one shows no symptoms.
Do cat owners have better mental health?
A study, published in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin, was performed at the University of Queensland in Australia. The research contains data from 11 different countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, and it took the researchers almost 44 years to comprehend the study correctly. A key finding of the research suggests:
"Our findings support an association between cat exposure and an increased risk of broadly defined schizophrenia-related disorders. We found that individuals exposed to cats had approximately twice the odds of developing schizophrenia."
However, according to other research, many people's mental health can benefit from owning a cat. Having pets, especially cats, has been linked to several advantages for mental health. For those who live alone, cats can offer emotional support and company, which can be especially helpful. Playing and caressing cats has been demonstrated to lower cortisol levels and lessen stress. The physical contact and nurturing of a cat can have a relaxing impact on the nervous system.
However, pet owners should be aware of the problems that come with it such as allergies and infections.
Can Schizophrenics live independently?
The degree to which someone with schizophrenia may live independently can vary greatly based on several variables, such as the intensity of their symptoms, how well they respond to therapy, whether or not they have a support network, and how well they perform overall. While some people with schizophrenia might be able to live on their own, others would need different levels of help and support.
The study unveiled a lot about the linkage between cat ownership and schizophrenia risk. It also encouraged the community to dig deep and find the connection between pet ownership and mental health.
1. Schizophrenia is a condition that has no cure. People with pets, especially cats should be aware of the risk that comes with it.
2. The risk can be controlled by effective therapy sessions as it will help relax your mind.
3. Prescribed antipsychotic medication by healthcare professionals can help lower the risk of developing schizophrenia.
4. The risk of schizophrenia can be lowered by living individually in support housing programs with proper therapeutic support.
5. Regular check-ups are essential to keep track of your progress and will help adjust your medications accordingly.
Schizophrenia is a mental condition that has various causes. Studies unveiled one of the causes, which is owning a cat, that can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. This condition has no cure and can only be controlled by medicines or therapy.
