Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPrevalenceCausesSymptomsCourseWhen to See a DoctorDiagnosisTreatmentsPrognosisCoping and SupportNext in Schizophrenia GuideSigns and Symptoms of Schizophrenia
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Causes
Symptoms
Course
When to See a Doctor
Diagnosis
Treatments
Prognosis
Coping and Support
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Learning your child has schizophrenia—or suspecting your child may have it—can feel overwhelming and scary. Butearly identificationand treatment are important in managing their symptoms and improving your child’s long-term prognosis.
Schizophreniais a mental illness that causes people to interpret reality abnormally. It involves a range of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems that impair a child’s ability to function.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and prevalence of schizophrenia in children. It also covers how the disorder presents in kids, the available treatments, and things that parents can do to help kids cope.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Prevalence of Schizophrenia in Kids
Onset usually occurs between the late teens and the mid-thirties. The peak age of onset for males is the early twenties and for females the late twenties, but it may occur at any age. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 0.25% to 0.64% of Americans have schizophrenia.
Causes of Childhood Schizophrenia
Scientists haven’t found a single set ofcauses for schizophrenia. It’s suspected that there are multiple genetic and environmental factors that play a role:
Symptoms of Schizophrenia in Children
Hallucinations,thought disorder, andflattened affecthave been consistently found in children with schizophrenia.Delusionsandcatatonic symptomsoccur less frequently.
Childhood schizophrenia is also often associated with cognitive delays. Cognitive decline typically occurs at the time of onset of schizophrenia, but after the initial decline, intellectual deficits appear to be stable without getting progressively worse.
Early Signs
Schizophrenia can be more difficult to diagnose in younger children. Some of the early signs of the condition in kids can include:
Later Symptoms
As children with schizophrenia grow, they begin to display some of the more typical symptoms of the condition that are often also seen in adults with the condition. Some of these symptoms include:
RecapDiagnosing schizophrenia in children can be challenging because early symptoms are often easily mistaken for normal childhood behaviors. As kids grow older, however, their symptoms often more closely resemble the characteristic signs of the condition, including the presence of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
Recap
Diagnosing schizophrenia in children can be challenging because early symptoms are often easily mistaken for normal childhood behaviors. As kids grow older, however, their symptoms often more closely resemble the characteristic signs of the condition, including the presence of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia
The course of schizophrenia varies from person to person. But, there are hallmark phases that people tend to experience.
It’s hard to identify schizophrenia in children. Young children have excellent imaginations so it’s common for them to have imaginary friends with whom they carry on conversations. That type of pretend play doesn’t mean your child is having hallucinations.
Kids also aren’t good at telling adults about their symptoms. When young children are asked questions about hallucinations or delusions, many of them say yes. But, that doesn’t mean they have psychosis.
Instead, in a paper published in 2013, researchers believe kids may report having those symptoms because they have overactive imaginations, cognitive limitations, or they simply misunderstand the question. So asking your child questions like, “Do you ever see things that no one else sees?” isn’t likely to give you much insight into whether your child should see a doctor.
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.
RecapSince schizophrenia in children is rare, there’s a good chance any behaviors that may resemble certain symptoms of the condition actually stem from something else. But it’s important to find out the reasons for any concerning changes that you’re seeing.
Since schizophrenia in children is rare, there’s a good chance any behaviors that may resemble certain symptoms of the condition actually stem from something else. But it’s important to find out the reasons for any concerning changes that you’re seeing.
Diagnosing Schizophrenia in Children
There isn’t a lab test that identifies schizophrenia. 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.
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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.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Overview
Treatments for Schizophrenia in Kids
Antipsychotic medicationis 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. It’s essential for parents of children diagnosed with schizophrenia to maintain contact with physicians to monitor symptoms, side effects, and adherence.
Talk therapy may also be helpful to children with schizophrenia. Children and their parents may benefit from psychoeducation and problem-solving sessions. It may be important for siblings to get involved in therapy so they can understand their sibling’s behavior.
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 hospitalizationmay be necessary. Inpatient treatment can be helpful for getting severe symptoms under control.
The Best Online Therapy Programs for Kids
Childhood-onset schizophrenia is associated with low intellectual functioning and higher rates of negative symptoms across the lifespan.
According to a 2011 study published inPediatric Clinics of North America,childhood-onset schizophrenia is associated with greater social deficits in adulthood compared to those with other mental illnesses.It’s also been linked to lower levels of employment and a lesser likelihood of living independently, compared to other psychiatric disorders.
If your child is having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If your child is having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
People with schizophrenia also are at a higher risk of physical health conditions such as heart disease, obesity, hepatitis, diabetes, and HIV. There isn’t a cure for schizophrenia, but symptoms can be managed with treatment. Early intervention is key to improving the outcome for children with schizophrenia.
Learning your child has schizophrenia—or suspecting that they may have it—can feel scary and overwhelming. It’s important to learn as much as you can about schizophrenia in children, however, so you can best support and advocate for your child.
Ask your child’s doctor for resources on schizophrenia. Attending support groups for people who have a family member diagnosed with schizophrenia can serve as a wealth of information.
TheNational Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), may also be a valuable resource. NAMI is a mental health organization that has local affiliates who provide support, education, and services in communities throughout the United States. NAMI may be able to help you locate the resources, tools, and information you need to help your child.
It’s important to take care of yourself as well. Attend a support group or seek therapy for yourself. Managing your stress level will be key to helping you be best equipped to support your child.
RecapLearning about the condition and seeking support can help you feel more informed and empowered when dealing with your child’s schizophrenia. Caring for yourself while seeking appropriate treatment for your child is also essential.
Learning about the condition and seeking support can help you feel more informed and empowered when dealing with your child’s schizophrenia. Caring for yourself while seeking appropriate treatment for your child is also essential.
A Word From Verywell
While there is no way to prevent schizophrenia in children, being aware of the risk factors and keeping an eye out for potential symptoms can help with the early identification of the condition. Early treatment can help improve outcomes. It can also help limit some of more serious symptoms such as psychosis. If you suspect that your child has symptoms of childhood schizophrenia, talk to your child’s doctor for further evaluation and treatment options.
What to Know About Child Psychology and Development
9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cannon TD.How schizophrenia develops: Cognitive and brain mechanisms underlying onset of psychosis.Trends Cogn Sci. 2015;19(12):744-756. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.09.009National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.Gochman P, Miller R, Rapoport JL.Childhood-onset schizophrenia: The challenge of diagnosis.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2011;13(5):321–322. doi:10.1007/s11920-011-0212-4Bartlett J.Childhood-onset schizophrenia: What do we really know?.Health Psychol Behav Med. 2014;2(1):735–747. doi:10.1080/21642850.2014.927738Narayan CL, Shikha D, Shekhar S.Schizophrenia in identical twins.Indian J Psychiatry. 2015;57(3):323–324. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.166635Larson MK, Walker EF, Compton MT.Early signs, diagnosis and therapeutics of the prodromal phase of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.Expert Rev Neurother. 2010;10(8):1347–1359. doi:10.1586/ern.10.93NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 155. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Leicester (UK): British Psychological Society; 2013.McClellan J, Stock S.Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with schizophrenia.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013;52(9):976-90. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2013.02.008Driver DI, Gogtay N, Rapoport JL.Childhood onset schizophrenia and early onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2013;22(4):539-55. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2013.04.001Additional ReadingFalcone T, Mishra L, Carlton E, et al. Suicidal Behavior In Children And Adolescents With First Episode Psychosis.Schizophrenia Research. 2008;102(1-3):153.Gochman P, Miller R, Rapoport JL. Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia: The Challenge of Diagnosis.Current Psychiatry Reports. 2011;13(5):321-322.
9 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cannon TD.How schizophrenia develops: Cognitive and brain mechanisms underlying onset of psychosis.Trends Cogn Sci. 2015;19(12):744-756. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.09.009National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.Gochman P, Miller R, Rapoport JL.Childhood-onset schizophrenia: The challenge of diagnosis.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2011;13(5):321–322. doi:10.1007/s11920-011-0212-4Bartlett J.Childhood-onset schizophrenia: What do we really know?.Health Psychol Behav Med. 2014;2(1):735–747. doi:10.1080/21642850.2014.927738Narayan CL, Shikha D, Shekhar S.Schizophrenia in identical twins.Indian J Psychiatry. 2015;57(3):323–324. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.166635Larson MK, Walker EF, Compton MT.Early signs, diagnosis and therapeutics of the prodromal phase of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.Expert Rev Neurother. 2010;10(8):1347–1359. doi:10.1586/ern.10.93NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 155. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Leicester (UK): British Psychological Society; 2013.McClellan J, Stock S.Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with schizophrenia.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013;52(9):976-90. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2013.02.008Driver DI, Gogtay N, Rapoport JL.Childhood onset schizophrenia and early onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2013;22(4):539-55. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2013.04.001Additional ReadingFalcone T, Mishra L, Carlton E, et al. Suicidal Behavior In Children And Adolescents With First Episode Psychosis.Schizophrenia Research. 2008;102(1-3):153.Gochman P, Miller R, Rapoport JL. Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia: The Challenge of Diagnosis.Current Psychiatry Reports. 2011;13(5):321-322.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cannon TD.How schizophrenia develops: Cognitive and brain mechanisms underlying onset of psychosis.Trends Cogn Sci. 2015;19(12):744-756. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.09.009National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.Gochman P, Miller R, Rapoport JL.Childhood-onset schizophrenia: The challenge of diagnosis.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2011;13(5):321–322. doi:10.1007/s11920-011-0212-4Bartlett J.Childhood-onset schizophrenia: What do we really know?.Health Psychol Behav Med. 2014;2(1):735–747. doi:10.1080/21642850.2014.927738Narayan CL, Shikha D, Shekhar S.Schizophrenia in identical twins.Indian J Psychiatry. 2015;57(3):323–324. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.166635Larson MK, Walker EF, Compton MT.Early signs, diagnosis and therapeutics of the prodromal phase of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.Expert Rev Neurother. 2010;10(8):1347–1359. doi:10.1586/ern.10.93NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 155. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Leicester (UK): British Psychological Society; 2013.McClellan J, Stock S.Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with schizophrenia.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013;52(9):976-90. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2013.02.008Driver DI, Gogtay N, Rapoport JL.Childhood onset schizophrenia and early onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2013;22(4):539-55. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2013.04.001
Cannon TD.How schizophrenia develops: Cognitive and brain mechanisms underlying onset of psychosis.Trends Cogn Sci. 2015;19(12):744-756. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.09.009
National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.
Gochman P, Miller R, Rapoport JL.Childhood-onset schizophrenia: The challenge of diagnosis.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2011;13(5):321–322. doi:10.1007/s11920-011-0212-4
Bartlett J.Childhood-onset schizophrenia: What do we really know?.Health Psychol Behav Med. 2014;2(1):735–747. doi:10.1080/21642850.2014.927738
Narayan CL, Shikha D, Shekhar S.Schizophrenia in identical twins.Indian J Psychiatry. 2015;57(3):323–324. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.166635
Larson MK, Walker EF, Compton MT.Early signs, diagnosis and therapeutics of the prodromal phase of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.Expert Rev Neurother. 2010;10(8):1347–1359. doi:10.1586/ern.10.93
NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 155. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Leicester (UK): British Psychological Society; 2013.
McClellan J, Stock S.Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with schizophrenia.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013;52(9):976-90. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2013.02.008
Driver DI, Gogtay N, Rapoport JL.Childhood onset schizophrenia and early onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2013;22(4):539-55. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2013.04.001
Falcone T, Mishra L, Carlton E, et al. Suicidal Behavior In Children And Adolescents With First Episode Psychosis.Schizophrenia Research. 2008;102(1-3):153.Gochman P, Miller R, Rapoport JL. Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia: The Challenge of Diagnosis.Current Psychiatry Reports. 2011;13(5):321-322.
Falcone T, Mishra L, Carlton E, et al. Suicidal Behavior In Children And Adolescents With First Episode Psychosis.Schizophrenia Research. 2008;102(1-3):153.
Gochman P, Miller R, Rapoport JL. Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia: The Challenge of Diagnosis.Current Psychiatry Reports. 2011;13(5):321-322.
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