Have you noticed a big change in your little one's behavior or speech lately? Does he sometimes talk to himself, or does he say he sees or hears things that no one else sees? Or is he afraid that others will hear what's on his mind? It's very normal for a mother or father to feel very scared and worried when he sees things like this. Today we're talking about a very rare but very serious mental illness in young children, called childhood schizophrenia.
What is Childhood Schizophrenia ?
Simply put, this is a serious condition that affects a child's mind, completely changing the way they see the world, think, and feel. When this condition occurs in a child under the age of 13, we call it `Childhood Schizophrenia`.
This condition causes the child to:
- Thoughts: Strange, unusual thoughts may occur.
- Memory: Memory-related problems may occur.
- Senses: We can see, hear, and feel things that are not really there.
- Behaviors: Behavior can vary greatly and be confusing.
Because of this, it affects many aspects of a child's daily life. Everything from schoolwork, playing with friends, and relationships with family members begins to fall apart. If left untreated, the child may even engage in behaviors that could harm themselves or others.
How common is this condition?
The first thing to say is that this is a very, very rare condition. It affects about one in 10,000 children. So don't be afraid to assume that your child is schizophrenic if you notice a small change in their behavior. However, if you have serious concerns or fears about your child's behavior, it's best to talk to a doctor.
What are the symptoms that suggest a child may have schizophrenia ?
Most of the time, this disease does not appear suddenly. The first signs are some delays in the child's development and social behavior. It is only later that the main symptoms related to schizophrenia-affective disorder appear. Let's break this down into two parts.
| Childhood schizophrenic-affective symptoms | |
|---|---|
| Characteristic type | Explanation and examples |
| Early warning signs (often mistaken for other conditions) | |
| Developmental delays | Delay in motor skills, such as starting to walk. Delay in starting to talk. |
| Social problems | Reluctance to look others in the eye and speak. Trying to be alone without socializing with friends. |
| Problems at school | Learning disabilities. Inability to focus on one thing. |
| Strange behavior | Repeating words or sounds that others say (echolalia). Inability to control emotions, such as laughing out loud or crying inappropriately. |
| Main symptoms (Psychosis) | |
| Delusions | These are completely false beliefs that cannot be changed, no matter how much evidence is presented. For example, believing that someone is controlling his mind, secretly listening to what is going on in his mind, or sending him special messages on television. |
| Hallucinations | Seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, or tasting things that are not there. This usually happens when no one is around. These voices may be scolding or giving orders. |
| Confused story | Inability to coordinate thoughts while speaking. Jumping from one topic to another. Sometimes what is said can be so confusing that no one can understand it. |
| Unusual movements | Showing unusual movement patterns, such as constantly moving back and forth for no reason, or remaining in the same position as if frozen in place without any movement. |
| Negative Symptoms | This means that abilities that should normally be present are reduced. For example, speaking without any emotion on the face, no pitch in the voice, loss of interest in anything, and complete withdrawal from social interactions. |
Importantly, these early symptoms can often be confused with other conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and depression. Therefore, if you have these symptoms, it is essential to see a specialist for an accurate diagnosis.
Why do children have this condition?
It is not possible to pinpoint a single cause for this. Experts believe that this condition is caused by a combination of several factors.
- Hereditary: Schizophrenia can run in families to some extent. This means that if someone in the family has the disease, the risk of the child also developing it is slightly higher than the average person.
- Brain development problems: Certain problems that occur during brain development while the baby is in the womb.
- Complications during pregnancy: Malnutrition or certain viral infections in the mother during pregnancy.
- Complications during birth: Certain complications that occur during childbirth.
- Brain chemical imbalances: Imbalances in the chemicals (neurotransmitters) that transmit messages between brain cells.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that this is not your fault, it's not a mistake in the way you raised your child. It's a combination of a lot of complex biological reasons.
How is the diagnosis made?
Diagnosing schizophrenia in children can be a bit tricky, as many other conditions have similar symptoms. So, doctors often rule out other conditions first. To be diagnosed with schizophrenia , a child must have symptoms for at least 6 months.
Tests like these can be used for diagnosis.
| Test type | Why are you doing this? |
|---|---|
| Psychological evaluation | A child psychiatrist will assess the situation by asking you and your child about their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and symptoms. |
| Imaging tests (CT, MRI) | Check for a brain tumor, stroke, or other structural problem in the brain. |
| Blood and urine tests | Check for other physical illnesses, infections, or chemical changes that could be contributing to the child's behavior change. |
| EEG (Electroencephalogram) | Check the electrical activity of the brain and rule out conditions such as epilepsy. |
How is it treated?
Treating this condition is a team effort. It involves the child, parents, doctors, therapists, and even school teachers. Treatment methods are usually a combination of these.
1. Medications: Antipsychotic medications are used to control symptoms. Sometimes, if there are other symptoms such as depression, other medications such as antidepressants may also be given. These medications should only be given under the supervision of a child psychiatrist.
2. Therapy:
- Individual therapy: The child is taught to live with their condition and cope with problems.
- Family therapy: Provides knowledge and support to parents and family about the disease and how to help the child.
- Social skills training: Helps the child to interact and communicate with others.
3. Hospitalization: In some cases, a short-term hospitalization may be necessary to ensure the child's safety or to administer medication.
Let's also be aware of the side effects of medications.
Some medications used to treat schizophrenia can cause side effects such as weight gain and an increased risk of heart disease . Therefore, the doctor will regularly check the child's weight, height (BMI), blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, and weigh the pros and cons of the medication before prescribing it.
How can you, as a parent, help your child?
Caring for a child with this condition is a big challenge, but your love, support, and proper management can make a big difference in a child's life.
- Give your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time, and in the right dosage. Don't skip a single day.
- Don't skip doctor's appointments: Be sure to go to your doctor's appointments. Talk openly with your doctor about changes in your child's symptoms and side effects of medications.
- Inform the school: Talk to the child's teachers and the principal and explain the child's condition. This will help them get the special support they need.
- Don't ignore symptoms: If you notice anything unusual in your child's behavior, don't ignore it. Seek medical advice immediately. The sooner treatment is started, the better the results.
- Think about yourself too: This journey is very tiring. You also need rest and support, both mentally and physically. There are support groups and counselors who can help you. Only if you are well can you take good care of your baby.
When should you go to the hospital immediately?
If your child talks about harming themselves, tries to do so, or if you feel afraid that they will harm others, take them to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) without any hesitation.
Although this journey is challenging, with the right treatment and the love of their family, these children have the opportunity to make the most of their abilities and live successful lives.
Take-Home Message
- Childhood schizophrenia is a very rare, but serious mental condition.
- Early symptoms can often be confused with other conditions, such as autism and ADHD.
- This condition is not the fault of the parents. It is caused by complex biological reasons.
- It is essential to see a specialist such as a child psychiatrist for an accurate diagnosis.
- Medication, therapy, and family support are all important for treatment. Early treatment can lead to better outcomes.
- While supporting your child, it is very important for you as a parent to take care of your own mental health.
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