Childhood schizophrenia is an uncommon but severe mental disorder in which children and teenagers interpret reality abnormally. This involves a range of problems with thinking, behavior or emotions. Childhood schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs your child’s ability to function. Although childhood schizophrenia is the same as schizophrenia in adults, in children it starts early in life and has a profound impact on a child’s behavior and development. Schizophrenia is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment. It is interesting to note that starting treatment for childhood schizophrenia early may significantly improve the child’s long-term outcome.

The symptoms of schizophrenia vary but revolve around delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech, and reflect an impaired ability to function. Schizophrenia is considered early onset when it starts before the age of 18. Onset of schizophrenia in children younger than age 13 is extremely rare. Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common among people with schizophrenia. The main cause of this conddition in children is not known, but it develops the same way as in adults.

A combination of genetics, brain chemistry and environment contributes to development of the disorder. The people at an increased risk of developing this condition include those having a family history of schizophrenia, those with an increased immune system activation, such as from inflammation, older age of the father, those whose mothers had pregnancy and birth complications, and taking mind-altering drugs during teen years. This condition can result in severe emotional, behavioral and health problems. Early identification and treatment may help get symptoms of childhood schizophrenia under control before serious complications develop. Childhood schizophreniais most commonly treated with medication alongside psychotherapy such as family therapy and  CBT. It is recommended that children with this condition take second-generation antipsychotic medications Harvard