Schizophrenia Quiz: Ace Your Exams

A 23-year-old man is brought to the physician by his parent due to concerns of abnormal behavior. The patient’s parent tells the physician that the patient has been acting in a strange manner lately. Eight months ago, he spontaneously left his job, which he previously enjoyed, without reason. The parent adds that he no longer spends time with his friends and has become increasingly withdrawn from his family. Last month, he started acting as if he was responding to a voice no one else could hear, and he has been heard talking to himself in his room. The patient tells the physician that someone is talking to him and telling him about plans related to people trying to harm him. The patient recreationally uses alcohol and cocaine. He has also smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for the last five years. He was diagnosed with migraines three years ago but has not experienced any headaches recently. According to the patient’s parent, there is no known history of mental health disorders in the family. The physician strongly suspects a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Which of the following is considered a risk factor for this patient’s condition?