What is the difference between childhood schizophrenia and paranoid schizophrenia

But, there are hallmark phases that people tend to experience. When young children are asked questions about hallucinations or delusions, many of them say yes. Instead, in a paper published in , researchers believe kids may report having those symptoms because they have overactive imaginations, cognitive limitations, or they simply misunderstand the question. Symptoms also tend to begin gradually. Over time, however, a child may develop psychosis and the symptoms become much more obvious.

If you notice developmental delays, strange eating rituals, bizarre behavior or ideas, change in academic performance, or social isolation, consult your child's doctor. Mental health professionals make the diagnosis based on several factors after gathering a full history, observing the child, and interviews with the parent and child.

Other conditions must also be ruled out. Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor's appointment. Many of the symptoms of schizophrenia in children are also found in other disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders ASD , mood disorders with psychotic features, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Medical conditions may also result in overlapping symptoms.

For example, central nervous system infections, endocrine disorders, genetic syndromes, autoimmune disorders, and toxic exposures may cause children to exhibit symptoms like psychosis. Drug use may also cause psychosis. Hallucinogenic mushrooms, stimulants, inhalants, and cannabis are just a few of the drugs that may lead to psychotic symptoms. Prescription drug misuse may also lead to acute psychosis. Symptoms generally resolve within a few days to weeks after the drug is discontinued.

All other potential conditions must be ruled out before a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be made. Antipsychotic medication is the primary treatment for schizophrenia in children and adults. People with schizophrenia are at significant risk of relapse if they stop taking their antipsychotic medication. Talk therapy may also be helpful to children with schizophrenia. Children and their parents may benefit from psychoeducation and problem-solving sessions.

Social skills training, relapse prevention, and basic life skills training may also be helpful. Some children with schizophrenia may need specialized education programs or vocational training programs. If a child becomes a danger to themselves or others, psychiatric hospitalization may be necessary.

Inpatient treatment can be helpful for getting severe symptoms under control. Childhood-onset schizophrenia is associated with low intellectual functioning and higher rates of negative symptoms across the lifespan. According to a study published in Pediatric Clinics of North America, childhood-onset schizophrenia is associated with greater social deficits in adulthood compared to those with other mental illnesses.

Adolescents are at a higher risk of suicidal behavior during their first episode of psychosis. If your child is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

Disorganized schizophrenia was characterized by disorganized behavior and nonsensical speech. Another prominent feature was flat or inappropriate affect. Disorganized speech and thought are still elements of a schizophrenia diagnosis, but experts no longer consider this as a distinct subtype. Catatonic schizophrenia was characterized by catatonia. This causes a person to experience either excessive movement, called catatonic excitement, or decreased movement, known as a catatonic stupor. Catatonia can occur with schizophrenia and a range of other conditions, including bipolar disorder.

For this reason, mental health professionals now consider it to be a specifier for schizophrenia and other mood disorders, rather than a type of schizophrenia. Undifferentiated schizophrenia involved symptoms that did not fit into the paranoid, disorganized, or catatonic types of schizophrenia. In residual schizophrenia, a person would have had several symptoms of schizophrenia but would not exhibit prominent delusions, hallucinations, disorganization, or catatonic behavior.

Some people with schizophrenia have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease due to the higher incidence of smoking and decreased engagement in health promoting behaviors.

Mental health professionals no longer use the terms paranoid schizophrenia, disorganized schizophrenia, or catatonic schizophrenia. Instead, they use the umbrella term schizophrenia to describe the condition as a whole and make a note of which specific symptoms an individual is experiencing. Schizophrenia is a complex condition, and there are many related conditions with similar symptoms.

If a person is concerned about symptoms that they or a loved one is experiencing, they can find more resources from the National Institute of Mental Health or look for mental health services on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website. Read the article in Spanish. A: If schizophrenia is detected and treated early, and if medications and therapies are successful, the disease has an excellent treatment rate. Lifelong monitoring by a qualified health professional is a must for anyone diagnosed with schizophrenia.

While there is no cure, children and adolescents with the disease can achieve normal — and even extraordinary — milestones at school, at work and in their personal lives. With proper treatment, many children with schizophrenia are able to go to college, hold jobs and have families as adults. For Patients. There is no known, exact cause for schizophrenia, but the disease is believed to be linked to the following factors: Genetics While there is no single known cause for schizophrenia, experts believe that the disease has a strong genetic component — specifically, an inherited chemical imbalance in the brain.

Positive symptoms Positive symptoms of schizophrenia involve the onset and acquisition of certain feelings, traits, and behaviors. These can include: beliefs that someone, or something, poses a threat or is causing some type of harm for example, a sense of being followed by a person or group confused thinking for example, confusing what is happening on television with what is occurring in reality hallucinations seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not real; for example, hearing voices giving commands or seeing people, animals or objects that are not really there delusions ideas, situations or threats that seem real but are not actually based in reality; for example, believing a surveillance device has been installed in the body, home or car.

FAQ Q: Is schizophrenia common in adults? Instead, an individual with schizophrenia experiences a separation from reality that is characterized by: visual and auditory hallucinations false and irrational ideas and perceptions impaired or incoherent thinking and speech problems initiating and maintaining relationships difficulty processing social cues and non-verbal communication inability to recognize and adhere to appropriate social behaviors or personal hygiene practices oversensitivity to external stimulation, such as sounds and lights withdrawal from the outside world Q: Is it possible my child has bipolar disorder, not schizophrenia?

The commitment and compassion with which we care for all children and families is matched only by the pioneering spirit of discovery and innovation that drives us to think differently, to find answers, and to build a better tomorrow for children everywhere. Kevin B. Churchwell, President and CEO. Connect with Boston Children's Hospital. How can we help? Ask for a referral to a psychiatrist with experience evaluating and treating children with schizophrenia.

Treatment can include a combination of medicine, therapy and special programs. Schizophrenia is a difficult disease. What is schizophrenia in children? Early warning signs are: Trouble telling dreams from reality distorted view of reality Confused thinking, such as confusing TV with reality Detailed and bizarre thoughts and ideas Fear or belief that someone or something is going to harm them Seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not real, such as hearing voices hallucinations Ideas that seem real but are not based in reality delusions Extreme moodiness Lots of anxiety or fear Lack of emotional expression when speaking Trouble doing schoolwork or a drop in levels of school success Social withdrawal, such as having problems making and keeping friends Sudden agitation and confusion Disorganized behavior, such as doing private things in public.

Odd behaviors, such as an older child acting like they are much younger Children with schizophrenia have the same symptoms as adults with the condition. Medicines The doses and types of medicines may need to be adjusted from time to time so they can keep working well. Your child may be given: Medicines to help reduce delusions and hallucinations antipsychotics.

This special class of medicines can reduce symptoms or reduce how severe the symptoms are. Mood stabilizing medicines. Examples are lithium and valproic acid, especially in the early stages of the illness. Other Treatment Individual and family therapy. This may include supportive, thinking and behavioral therapy. Specialized educational or structured activity programs. These may include social skills training, vocational training and speech and language therapy.

Self-help and support groups. These can help the child learn ways to cope with the disorder and also work on social skills. Here are things you can do to help: In an age-appropriate manner, explain schizophrenia to your child and the reasons they need to take medicines and talk to so many adults. Since this is a life-long illness, the more you can empower your child to understand schizophrenia, be aware of their unique symptoms, and learn how the illness is managed, the better prepared your child will be to care for themselves as they age.

If you are uncomfortable doing this, ask your child's mental health professional for help. Be sure you understand your child's medicines, including what side effects to look for, what do to when a dose is missed, and when to call the provider.

Your child may get care from a team that may include experts like psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, school psychologists, teachers and social workers. Take care of yourself. You may feel overwhelmed or stressed out.