Anderson has schizophrenia.After a series of treatments he was discharged and went home.His schizophrenia was in remission.Which of the following would you be most concerned about as a factor that could cause a possible relapse for Anderson?

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Expressed emotion has been shown to be a significant factor in relapse for individuals with schizophrenia. Expressed emotion refers to a family member's level of criticism, hostility, and emotional overinvolvement towards the person with the illness. High levels of expressed emotion have been consistently linked to increased risk of relapse. Social drift (A) refers to a phenomenon where individuals with mental illness may experience worsening symptoms which lead to a decrease in social and occupational functioning. Regression (C) refers to a return to earlier developmental or behavioral stages, and while it can occur in some individuals with schizophrenia, it is not a commonly identified contributor to relapse. A lack of brain atrophy (D) would be a positive factor, as brain atrophy is associated with many neurological disorders and is not a factor specifically related to relapse in schizophrenia. While serotonin (E) can play a role in the development and treatment of mental illness, there is no clear evidence that Anderson's continued low level of serotonin would be a significant contributor to relapse, especially given that his schizophrenia is currently in remission.

Anderson Has Schizophrenia