VERIFIED CONTENTAuthor: lek. Tomasz Nęcki

The symptoms of schizophrenia in children can range from delusions and hallucinations to mental disorganization and mood disorders. Exactly what conditions should parents worry about, and where should parents go if they suspect their child has schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia belongs to the group of mental illnesses, the first symptoms of which most often appear in early adulthood. Most often, but not always - the onset of the disease may also take place in childhood or adolescence. Fortunately, schizophrenia in children is generally rare, and it is estimated that about 5% of all patients experience its first symptoms before the age of 15.

Theoretically symptoms of schizophrenia, which include, among others, delusions or hallucinations are hard to miss. In practice, however, it happens that the disease is not noticed for a long time, even by the patient's closest relatives. This may be for a number of reasons. One of them is that the patient may not inform relatives that he is seeing something. Another reason is that it can often be quite difficult to distinguish hallucinations in a child from the fact that he has an extremely vivid imagination and that he talks to his imaginary friends while playing. Ultimately, however, schizophrenia is a disease that has many symptoms, and the suspicion of which may be associated with many other ailments than psychotic symptoms.

Symptoms of schizophrenia in children: psychotic symptoms

Probably the best known possible symptoms of schizophrenia are delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are defined as the occurrence of incorrect, inconsistent beliefs in a child, the falsehood of which cannot be convinced in any way to the child.

In the youngest ones, delusions of various contents are sometimes encountered. Book delusions and persecutory delusions are quite common. The patient may have the impression that other people are constantly watching or talking about him. He may also think that other people - both strangers and relatives - may want to hurt him in some way.

Vigilance should definitely be changed by a change in the child's behavior, e.g. refusal to eat meals prepared by the caregiver or to consume drinks other than those that the child can drink with his / her own handsan opened bottle - this type of behavior may result from unrealistic concerns about the possibility of the child being poisoned by relatives.

Another type of delusion that is also seen in children is hypochondriacal delusions. In their case, the patient is sometimes convinced that he is seriously ill and even multiple tests, the results of which remain within the normal range, cannot convince him that his he alth is not in danger.

Psychotic symptoms include not only delusions but also hallucinations. For example, patients may hear different voices that may be prompting them to engage in various activities, such as self-harm or suicide. There are also visual hallucinations, in which the child may see various figures, shadows or animals.

Hallucinations are perceived by children in different ways - sometimes they have a pleasant character, and sometimes their occurrence can cause the patient to experience increased anxiety.

Some children tell their guardians themselves that they hear voices. Others, in turn - due to various fears, and sometimes because voices forbid them - do not mention what they experience to anyone.

The fact that a child may have hallucinations may be suggested by, for example, conducting various dialogues when the child is alone in the room, but also by observing that the child often seems absent and stares at different places in the apartment, in which there is really nothing interesting in it.

Symptoms of schizophrenia in children: negative symptoms

Psychotic symptoms are sometimes referred to as positive (productive) symptoms, however, in the course of the disease, there may also be negative symptoms. These include, for example, emotional flattening, which may be suggested by the fact that the child ceases to enjoy even those things that once gave him incredible joy.

Schizophrenia in a child may also be evidenced by other negative symptoms, such as withdrawal from social contacts, neglect of basic duties and needs (e.g. reluctance to eat or take care of personal hygiene) and a lack of spontaneity.

In the course of the disease, there may also be psychomotor slowing down or changes in play: the child may repeat exactly the same activity many times, in addition, his games may become very schematic.

The most disturbing thing is when a previously very creative child suddenly starts playing with a very small number of toys and is not willing to play spontaneously with other people.

Symptomsschizophrenia in children: mental disorganization

Another problem that may indicate childhood schizophrenia is the manifestations of mental disorganization. A small patient suffering from this disease can be difficult to understand - his speech can become impoverished, and his statements can become incoherent and illogical.

In the course of the disease, patients can use neologisms, i.e. words invented by themselves. It may also happen that they will use incorrect personal pronouns or repeat mindlessly heard from other sentences.

Mental disorganization may involve thought processes, which may make the patient difficult to understand what is happening in the world around him.

The child may also perform some unusual movements or the behavior of the child may not be adapted to the circumstances, e.g. at a funeral it may be cheerful, and during a birthday party of a student from his class, it may in turn be extremely sad.

Symptoms of schizophrenia in children: mood disorders

In the course of schizophrenia, children may also develop mood disorders. It happens that the patient's mood is very unstable, which means that it can change very quickly. A patient who appeared euphoric a few moments ago may suddenly become depressed for no reason.

It is worth noting here that the mood of a child with schizophrenia may be influenced by psychotic symptoms. When the hallucinations are pleasant for the child, the child may appear relaxed and content. The opposite can happen when the hallucinations are simply terrible for the patient.

Symptoms of schizophrenia in children: other ailments

Above are the various possible symptoms of schizophrenia in children. In practice, however, small patients may also experience other types of ailments. Various types of anxiety symptoms are not uncommon, which may take the form of anxiety experienced by the patient, as well as somatic complaints, such as e.g. increased heart rate, increased sweating or trembling hands.

In some patients with schizophrenia, aggressive behavior is encountered, while in others it is possible to have fantasies about very disturbing content (e.g. about killing).

It is also worth mentioning here that in the course of schizophrenia, children may experience obsessions, such as, for example, having to wash their hands or repeatedly checking whether the lights at home have been turned off. Sometimes they are the first symptom of schizophrenia in children.

Symptoms of schizophrenia in children: where can I get help?

Schizophrenia in children is different: sometimes its first manifestations are productive symptoms, sometimes the disease is less rapid and first there are gradually intensifying negative symptoms of this individual.

It can be difficult for parents to distinguish whether a child is fantasizing from whether or not he is ill - so differentiation should be left to the appropriate specialists.

A child whose parents suspect schizophrenia should be examined by a child psychiatrist. The specialist will be able to assess whether the child actually suffers from this entity, or whether he or she has some other problem (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder or mental disorders resulting from the use of psychoactive substances).

Schizophrenia and its symptoms can be managed, but appropriate treatment is required. In Poland, unfortunately, people wait quite a long time to visit a child psychiatrist - even privately.

Therefore, if you notice any disturbing ailments in your child, you should start looking for help as soon as possible. It is worth reminding here that you do not need a referral to make an appointment with a psychiatrist.

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Category:

Psychiatry