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» Schizophrenia
- Featured Stories - Schizophrenia Research - Recently Diagnosed » Depression - Featured Stories - Depression Research - Recently Diagnosed » Bipolar Disorder - Featured Stories - Bipolar Disorder Research - Recently Diagnosed » Anxiety - Generalized Anxiety - Panic Disorder - Phobias - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Post-Traumatic Disorder - Featured Stories - Anxiety Research - Recently Diagnosed  Childhood Disorders
- Childhood Anxiety Disorder - Autism - Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Childhood Bipolar Disorder - Childhood Depression - Eating Disorders - Featured Stories - Childhood Disorders Research - Recently Diagnosed |
 Childhood Schizophrenia  Symptoms The appearance of schizophrenic symptoms before age 12 is uncommon, but researchers have identified some behaviors associated with the illness. In the first years of life, about 30 percent of children who will develop schizophrenia have transient symptoms of pervasive developmental disorder, such as rocking, posturing, and arm flapping. Children with schizophrenia also exhibit language delays. It is not until around age seven or later that children begin to encounter psychotic symptoms of hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. Causes The exact cause of schizophrenia is still unknown, but mounting evidence indicates schizophrenia has neurodevelopmental roots, and the neurological damage seems to be greater in childhood-onset disease than in the adult-onset type. Besides the neurodevelopment causes, current research suggests biochemical and environmental factors, such as viral infections and prenatal starvation, may be involved. Genetics also has been deemed a contributing factor in the illness: Schizophrenia risk rises from 1 percent in individuals with no family history of the illness, to 10 percent if a first-degree relative has it, to 50 percent if an identical twin has it. Treatment Schizophrenia is a life-long disease that can be controlled but not cured. Early diagnosis and medical treatment are important and increase the likelihood of children with schizophrenia living more fulfilling lives. Although children tend to be harder to diagnose and treat than adult-onset schizophrenia patients, researchers are finding that the new generation of antipsychotic medications may work for children. If you think your child may be experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, trained medical help should be sought immediately. Families can turn to child psychiatrists and psychologists and developmental/behavioral pediatricians. These individuals are those who are most often trained in childhood schizophrenia or in the diagnosis of other childhood mental disorders. For additional information on schizophrenia in children, please download the NARSAD Childhood Schizophrenia Fact Sheet here. » NARSAD's Role in Childhood Disorders Research
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