Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children

Schizophrenia in children is a brain illness that causes dramatic alterations in thoughts, behaviors, and mood. It is an uncommon psychiatric illness in children, and is differs from schizophrenia in adolescents and adults.

Causes:
There is no single cause of schizophrenia. Current research suggests that it is a mixture of genetics and environment. Twin studies show that on average, 40 to 60 percent of those who have the illness also have an identical twin that has it. Studies of individuals also show that neurodevelopmental immaturities, attention deficits, and poor interpersonal relationships are associated with later onset of schizophrenia. However, neurodevelopmental damage seems to be greater in childhood schizophrenia than in the adult-onset type.

CHARACTERISTICS:
Most children with schizophrenia show delays in language and other functions long before their psychotic symptoms appear (hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking). About 30% of these children have symptoms of pervasive developmental disorder, such as rocking, posturing, and arm flapping. Children with schizophrenia also tend to be more anxious and disruptive than adults with schizophrenia were when they were children. The symptoms also develop gradually in children, without a sudden psychotic break that often occurs in adolescents and adults. Symptoms of schizophrenia include auditory hallucinations (voices that give commands, voices that comment on the child's behavior, hearing one's thoughts spoken aloud, etc.) and delusions (false ideas and beliefs such as thinking they are God). Also, children with schizophrenia appear to be enclosed in their own world and are very withdrawn. In assessing children, professionals look for the following early warning signs in youngsters who may have schizophrenia

• Trouble telling dreams from reality
• Seeing things and hearing voices which are not real
• Confused thinking
• Vivid and bizarre thoughts and ideas
• Extreme moodiness
• Odd behavior
• Ideas that people are "out to get them"
• Behaving like a younger child
• Severe anxiety and fearfulness
• Confusing television with reality
• Severe problems in making and keeping friends

TREATMENT:
The symptoms of schizophrenia are often treated with medication, commonly known as antipsychotic drugs. It is important to note that these drugs only reduce the psychotic symptoms, but do not cure schizophrenia or ensure that there will be no further psychotic episodes. Although these drugs are effective in deterring psychotic symptoms, they may also have some severe side effects. For example, they may cause a loss of white blood cells that fight infection. Therefore, patients taking these drugs must be monitored weekly with blood tests. Newer drugs, such as risperidone (Risperdal ®) and olanzapine (Zyprexa ®) may be safer with less severe side effects.

ROLE of CAREGIVERS & IMPACT on FAMILY:
Life with a child who has schizophrenia can bring about a number of conflicting and troubling feelings such as love, anger, anxiety, grief, guilt, fear, and depression. It is important to know that these feelings are not unusual, and parents may find it helpful to share those feelings with family, friends, and/or support groups. Parents and caregivers should realize their limitations of their responsibilities and learn to take care of themselves so they may better help the child. Professional help in the form of individual and family counseling may be helpful in providing emotional support and guidance and help in the child's recovery.