Childhood schizophrenia

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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

There's no sure way to prevent childhood schizophrenia. But evidence shows that some signs of schizophrenia may be present as early as infancy. Early identification and treatment may help get symptoms under control before serious complications develop. Avoiding treatment delays may help improve the long-term outlook. Early treatment is also crucial in helping limit psychotic episodes, which can be extremely frightening to a child and his or her parents.

Signs and symptoms during infancy or early childhood years that may warrant further evaluation include:

  • Early language delays
  • Early motor development delays
  • School problems

Getting early treatment — and sticking with it — can help reduce or prevent worsening schizophrenia symptoms.

Coping and support

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
    Related Links
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    Children
    Parent
  • Schizophrenia
References
  1. Schizophrenia. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  2. Schizophrenia. Skodol AE, et al. Specific personality disorders. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  3. Jibson MD. Schizophrenia: Clinical presentation, epidemiology, and pathophysiology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  4. Gejman PV, et al. The role of genetics in the etiology of schizophrenia. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2010;33:3.
  5. Schizophrenia. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/complete-publication.shtml. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  6. Jibson MD. Schizophrenia: Diagnostic evaluation and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  7. Families and schizophrenia: The view from advocacy. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2007;30:549.
  8. Rathod SR, et al. Cognitive behavioral therapy for schizophrenia. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2010;33:3.
  9. Staying well when you have a mental health condition. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/go/mental-health-month/staying-well-when-you-have-a-mental-illness. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  10. Mattai AK, et al. Treatment of early-onset schizophrenia. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2010;23:304.
  11. Frazier JA, et al. Treatment of early-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders (TEOSS): Demographic and clinical characteristics. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2007;46:979.
  12. Early onset schizophrenia. National Alliance on Mental Illness. http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Early_Onset_Schizophrenia.htm. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  13. Factsheet: Schizophrenia in children. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectId=C7DF8F81-1372-4D20-C84C5539FAB14576. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  14. Wall CA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 17, 2010.
DS00868 Dec. 17, 2010

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