Schizophrenia
What is it?
Schizophrenia is a serious psychotic disorder that is
characterized by strange patterns of thinking, a distorted
view of reality, and unusual behaviors.
Who gets it?
Schizophrenia in children usually appears after the age
of seven or during early adolescence. Most patients are
diagnosed during the late teens to early twenties.
Childhood schizophrenia affects only one or two children
in every 10,000 and is more likely to affect males than
females.
What causes it?
The cause of childhood schizophrenia is not known. It
is possible that there is a chemical imbalance in the
brain, linked to the neurotransmitter dopamine. There is
also some possibility of a genetic link.
What are the symptoms?
Children who are schizophrenic begin to withdraw from
the world around them. They may become extremely anxious,
fearful, and suspicious of others, called paranoia. They
may develop false beliefs (delusions), have difficulty
separating fantasy from reality, and see and hear things
that are not really there (hallucinations). Schizophrenic
children express strange thoughts and ideas, do not
respond as expected to situations that might provoke
laughter or tears, and begin to have trouble making and
maintaining friendships. These symptoms can develop
slowly, and are often noticed first in the classroom.
How is it diagnosed?
There are no specific diagnostic tests for childhood
schizophrenia. It is diagnosed by a pattern of observable
symptoms. However, your doctor will also look for other
possible conditions that can cause these types of
symptoms, such as brain injury, drug abuse, exposure to a
toxic substance, or other psychological disorders.
What is the treatment?
Childhood schizophrenia is treated by a team of child
and adolescent psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and
education specialists. While there is no cure for
schizophrenia, it can be treated and controlled with a
combination of drugs and individual and family
psychotherapy. Commonly used medications, called
antipsychotics, include haloperidol, thiothixene, and
risperidone. As with many medications, these types of
drugs have possible negative side effects, which your
doctor should discuss with you. Children with
schizophrenia are hospitalized if there is evidence that
the child may harm him or herself or others.
Self-care tips
Because schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that
causes distress to the patient and those around him or
her, it is extremely important to diagnose this condition
as soon as possible so treatment can begin. If you notice
any signs of this illness in your child, contact your
doctor immediately. He or she will refer you to a child
and adolescent psychiatrist. It is important to remember
that this illness is not a reflection of you as a parent,
nor could it have been prevented by you. The schizophrenic
child needs a loving, supportive environment.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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