When it comes to the complexities that the average human endures on a daily basis, there is much more than meets the eye. Just to keep going day after day, you have to think about what you're doing, what you want to do, and what you've already done. But for some people, these very daily functions can become something that changes their behavior and their outlook on life. The human brain is made up of billions of cells called neurons. These neurons are connected by connections called synapses through which chemical neurotransmitters communicate. The connections are complex but are carefully organized throughout a neuron. The brain itself is a very complex thing to understand because it changes all the time, like when you learn something new, the connections change to compensate for your new knowledge. These changes within the connections, however, are not always beneficial and can lead to the development of many disorders. When examining what is known as normal brain functioning, a person's genes and environment play an important role in brain development. But genes and the environment can also be responsible for the formation of psychological and neurological disorders. The cause of these defects can be attributed to genetic mutations, viral infections or exposure of the fetus to alcohol which in turn can cause serious psychological disorders later in life. One particular disorder is a psychotic disorder known as schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is clinically described as “a complex and often disabling mental illness that is among the most serious brain diseases…a psychotic disorder that causes severe mental disturbances that disrupt thoughts, speech, and behavior” (Barnett Veague, 2007). Although the symptoms of this dis... middle of paper... in a similar way and at similar rates in every country and in every ethnic and religious group (Whitney Hicks, 2005). This kind of fact suggests that no matter where you are, who you are, or what you are, it doesn't matter when it comes to the development of the disease. Schizophrenia also occurs with the same frequency in males and females, although the way in which the symptoms of the illness are expressed can be very different between males and females. Works Cited Barnett Veague, H. (2007). Schizophrenia. New York, NY: Infobase Publishing.Mark Durand, V., & Barlow, D.H. (2013). Essentials of abnormal psychology. (6th ed., pp. 483-511). Wadsworth Cengage Learning.Whitaker, R. (2002). Crazy in America. (pages 165-180). New York, NY: Basic Books. Whitney Hicks, J. (2005). 50 signs of mental illness. (pp. 269-279). United States: Yale University Press Health and Wellness.