Survival advantage of schizophrenia genes?

If schizophrenia has survived through the ages, that means that there must be some survival advantage to it's genes. Any theories? I have heard one the people with schizophrenia have a "hyper-vigilance" that could possible serve a survival advantage.

Any guesses?

Good question, that is a toughie.

One theory I have heard is that schizophrenia is only partly genetic or works more on probability. For example if it runs in the family only some have it, thus the family moves on and only some children have it. Another example is Identical twins. Some experts say that if one has it that the other will only have it by a 20 to 50% chance rather than 100%. So that would indicate that perhaps more than genetic plays a role.

To this day the debate is intense to what degree schizophrenia is genetic vs environmental.

But, if it does have a evolutionary advantage I can see for example as you said hyper vigilance having an advantage. Some with Schizophrenia also have greater personal awareness and perceptive skills, all which could have helped survival.

It may not sound so today, but keep in mind just a few hundred years ago the world was very different and what might not be an advantage today might have been way back when.

I to am wondering the same, I do hope more people answer. This is a great topic

Maybe you knew this already, but there is a short Wikipedia article about it. It might be worth looking for some more information about the listed hypotheses. It's definitely an interesting question.

I seriously don't see anything positive about schizophrenia pertaining to survival......or pertaining to anything really.I think it would be exactly the opposite because lets say in terms of survival there were more schizophrenics left than people without we would eventually kill ourselves off due to the extreme paranoia it brings on.Unless its not really schizophrenia but for some its that telepathy and precognition is real. Ive noticed others have the exact same delusions I have with people being "out to get them" trying to drive them insane by following them and invading their minds with telepathy. I read somewhere years ago that some dude that was tested and confirmed that he had telepathic abilities committed suicide because he couldn't turn it off so he was constantly hearing peoples thoughts. I guess what im saying is the only positive would be that some of us are not crazy but telepaths and telepathy Is part of human evolution that hasn't been realized yet.But being a Christian I don't believe that it would be positive but negative because telepathy seems to be a form of witchcraft and that is explicitly forbidden in the Bible. Im sorry if im incoherent im going through a thing where im constantly asking myself if im really crazy or is telepathy real and people are out to drive me insane by using it on me....kinda thinking out loud.

I really like the Shamanistic Hypothesis from the article ZonedOut links. We have very strong physical and spiritual perceptions which could have aided a great deal back when humanity was comprised of hunter/gatherer tribes. While today's society may not appreciate our talents, the role of prominent spiritual leaders is found throughout ancient civilizations which had no contact with each other, presumably occurring independently.

Spirituality comes down to belief and when addressing ones belief be it Christianity or shaman the questions remain....is it real? Are people really reading my mind?are the voices real?....if so why are they real?

schizophrenics are individuals not capable of participating in the workforce due to a substantial amount of stimulus ie: voices, hallucinations. Our high tech industrial society has become very disconnected with what some refer to as the "spirit". have you guys ever asked yourself what all of this means? if you think that the reason we exist is simply to wake up go to work get home watch tv repeat. retire. die. then so be it. but that is not how humans have always been thinking. anyone familiar with tedex? TED is a global set of conferences run by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, under the slogan "Ideas Worth Spreading". TED's early emphasis was technology and design, consistent with its Silicon Valley origins, but it has since broadened its focus to include talks on many scientific, cultural and academic topics. check out this one on Psychosis. take it or leave it. this is the actual answer to this the advantage of schizophrenia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFtsHf1lVI4