Psychology24
5/1/12
Article Summary: Childhood Schizophrenia

What is Childhood Schizophrenia? Childhood schizophrenia is one of several types of schizophrenia, a psychological illness in which a person loses touch with reality. It includes hallucinations, delusion, irrational behavior, thinking and problems carry out daily routine. Childhood schizophrenia is the same as schizophrenia in adults, the only difference is that it occurs early in life, sometimes even before the teen years and has a deep impact on a child’s behavior. The early sign and symptoms of childhood schizophrenia can include developmental problems, such as language delays, late or unusual crawling, late walking and other abnormal motor behaviors, such as rocking or arm flapping. Later sign and symptoms as children with schizophrenia age include hallucination, delusions, lack of emotion, emotions inappropriate for the situation, social withdrawal and poor school performance. It’s not really known what causes childhood schizophrenia, but it’s thought that it develops in the same way as adult schizophrenia does. Childhood schizophrenia and other forms of schizophrenia are brain disorders. Genetics and environment are likely both the cause of schizophrenia. Problems with certain naturally occurring brain chemicals called neurotransmitters may be the cause of childhood schizophrenia. In addition the exact cause of schizophrenia is not known but certain things seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering schizophrenia, including a family history of schizophrenia, Exposure to viruses while in the womb, poor nutrition in the womb, older paternal age, and taking psychoactive drugs during adolescence. Schizophrenia usually develops between the teenage year and the mid-30s. Early beginning of schizophrenia occurs in children younger than age 17. Very early onset schizophrenia occurs in children younger than age 13. The path to diagnosing childhood schizophrenia can sometimes be long, difficult and challenging. Moreover, this is because so many other conditions can have similar symptoms, such as depression, bipolar disorder or substance abuse. Doctors often don’t want to rush a diagnosis of such a serious condition. A child psychiatrist may want to monitor a child for at least six months or more. During this time, a child psychiatrist will monitor your child's behaviors, perceptions and thinking patterns. For example, the psychiatrist will want to know whether