Recognizing Signs of Schizophrenia in Children

Early signs of schizophrenia may show up as long as 35 years before a diagnosis. What signs should be of concern?

• Emotional highs and lows are not as extreme as those of other children.
• Reports that the child hears voices.
• Feels people are spying on them.
• Antisocial behavior.
• Hyperactivity.
• Depression and anxiety.
• Self-harm.

Risk factors include:

• Family history of a psychiatric disorder.
• Prenatal risks
• older father
• emotional stress or depression in mother during first trimester
• loss of oxygen at birth
• birthday in winter
• prenatal exposure to 'flu or rubella
• chaotic household
• physical abuse of mother
• Family risks
• migrant family
• urban household
• lower socioeconomic status
• peer bullying
• Childhood risks
• physical developmental milestones not met
• low physical coordination
• expressionless face
• prefers playing alone after 4 years of age
• Adolescent risks
• uncoordinated
• fewer than 2 friends
• low IQ and learning problems
• social anxiety and withdrawal
• depression
• working memory problems
• antisocial behavior or conduct disorder
• self-harm
• early smoking or marijuana use

See your pediatrician if you recognize these signs in your children.

*****All information obtainted from "A Mind in Danger" by Victoria Costello published in Scientific American Mind, March/April 2012*****