Schizophrenia in Children

No.
49 November 2012
Schizophrenia in Children
Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric illness that causes strange thinking, strange
feelings, and unusual behavior. It is uncommon in children and hard to recognize in its
early phases. The cause of schizophrenia is not known. Current research suggests a
combination of brain changes, biochemical causes, and genetic and environmental
factors. Early diagnosis and medical treatment are important. Schizophrenia is a life-long
disease that can be controlled but not cured.
The symptoms and behavior of children and adolescents with schizophrenia may be
different from that of adults with this illness. The following symptoms and behaviors can
occur in children or adolescents with schizophrenia:
• seeing things and hearing voices which are not real (hallucinations)
• odd and eccentric behavior and/or speech
• unusual or bizarre thoughts and ideas
• confusing television and dreams from reality
• confused thinking
• extreme moodiness
• ideas that people are out to get them or talking about them (paranoia)
• severe anxiety and fearfulness
• difficulty relating to peers and keeping friends
• withdrawing and increased isolation
• worsening personal grooming
The behavior of children with schizophrenia may change slowly over time. For example,
children who used to enjoy relationships with others may start to become more shy or
withdrawn and seem to be in their own world. Sometimes youngsters will begin talking
about strange fears and ideas. They may start to say things that do not make sense.
These early symptoms and problems may first be noticed by the child's school teachers.
Children with these symptoms must have a complete evaluation. Parents should ask their
family physician or pediatrician to refer them to a child and adolescent psychiatrist, who
is specifically trained and skilled at evaluating, diagnosing, and treating children with
schizophrenia. Treating children with schizophrenia can involve a combination of
medication, individual therapy, family therapy, and specialized programs (school,
activities, etc.). Psychiatric medication can be helpful for many of the symptoms of the
illness. These medications require careful monitoring by a psychiatrist (preferably a
child and adolescent psychiatrist).
Schizophrenia in Children, “Facts for Families,” No. 49 (11/12)
For more information see Facts For Families:
#21 Psychiatric Medication for Children

#29 Psychiatric Medication Part II: Types
#38 Bipolar Disorder in Teens
#52 Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
#102 Hearing Voices and Seeing Things
If you find Facts for Families© helpful and would like to make good mental health a reality, consider
donating to the Campaign for America’s Kids. Your support will help us continue to produce and
distribute Facts for Families, as well as other vital mental health information, free of charge.
You may also mail in your contribution. Please make checks payable to the AACAP and send to Campaign
for America’s Kids, P.O. Box 96106, Washington, DC 20090.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) represents over 8,500 child and
adolescent psychiatrists who are physicians with at least five years of additional training beyond medical
school in general (adult) and child and adolescent psychiatry.
Facts for Families© information sheets are developed, owned and distributed by AACAP. Hard copies of
Facts sheets may be reproduced for personal or educational use without written permission, but cannot be
included in material presented for sale or profit. All Facts can be viewed and printed from the AACAP
website (www.aacap.org). Facts sheets may not be reproduced, duplicated or posted on any other website
without written consent from AACAP. Organizations are permitted to create links to AACAP’s website and
specific Facts sheets. For all questions please contact the AACAP Communications & Marketing
Coordinator, ext. 154.
If you need immediate assistance, please dial 911.
Copyright © 2012 by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

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For more information see Facts For Families:

#21 Psychiatric Medication for Children

If you need immediate assistance, please dial 911.

Copyright © 2012 by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

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