Child schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness characterized by hallucinations, delusions, irrational behavior and thinking, and an inability to carry out daily routines, according to the Mayo Clinic. Child schizophrenia occurs early in life often before the teen years and resembles adult schizophrenia. The cause of child schizophrenia is unknown. The early onset of schizophrenia makes diagnosis and treatment challenging so it is extremely important that the child be examined by a qualified mental health professional.
Hallucinations
Children with schizophrenia hear voices and see things that are not real, according to the Mayo Clinic. To others, these children appear to be focused on something in the room that does not exist or be listening to someone that is not present. Often the voices are disapproving, rude or abusive. Hallucinations tend to intensify when the child is alone. During the hallucinations, children with schizophrenia may appear dazed and distant, almost as if they are living inside of their heads. They may appear to be in a deep conversation with an imaginary person.
Delusions
The International Mental Health Research Organization states that children with schizophrenia tend to have beliefs that are not based on reality. These children refuse to change their strong beliefs even when they are presented with evidence to the contrary. Schizophrenic children are at risk of suffering a "break from reality" as their beliefs become more distorted and disorganized. They may think they are being followed or they may believe that the radio is transmitting secret messages to them. These children may become paranoid and think that their parents or teachers are out to hurt them or they may believe that their classmates are talking about them when in reality they are not.
Odd Behavior
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry states that children with schizophrenia may have a gradual change in behavior. Children who were once happy and outgoing may start to become sullen and reclusive. In some cases, these children normally independent and adventurous children may suddenly cling to their parents for protection. They tend to lack facial expressions when they are speaking to people. A child with schizophrenia will not smile when she is happy or frown when she is disappointed. In addition, older children may revert to childish and immature behaviors such as sucking their thumbs or throwing tantrums.
Distorted Reality
Children with schizophrenia have a hard time distinguishing between reality and television or dreams, according to Cincinnati Children's Hospital located in Cincinnati, Ohio. These children may become frightened of television programs that are violent in nature because they believe the violence is real. They will think in concrete or factual terms and have a hard time understanding abstract or hypothetical concepts. If a child has a dream that someone is chasing him, he will genuinely believe that someone is actually chasing him and become afraid of people. In addition, they may believe that they have superpowers or special abilities such as flying or healing people.
Extreme Mood Swings
Extreme moodiness is a common symptom of child schizophrenia, according to American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. They may be happy and upbeat one moment and angry and aggressive the next. These children tend to have periods of confusion followed by a lack of emotion. When these children become confused, they may stare at people or objects for long periods of time. It is common for these children to suddenly dislike activities that they once enjoyed, have low energy or have no interest in life, preferring to spend most of their days asleep.
Social Withdrawal
According to the Mayo Clinic, children with schizophrenia may experience social withdrawal and isolation. They have a hard time relating to other people and often do not know the right thing to say in social settings or the appropriate way to behave amongst peers. These children tend to have a hard time making friends and maintaining friendships because of their bizarre behavior. Schizophrenic children may appear to be timid, reserved and lost in their own worlds. In some cases, they prefer to spend most of the day alone or with one other person. These children are not interested in socializing or making friends.
Decreased Personal Hygiene
The International Mental Health Research Organization states that schizophrenic children generally have poor personal hygiene. These children become so consumed with the hallucinations and/or delusions that they neglect normal daily tasks such as bathing, eating or brushing their teeth. They have no interest in personal hygiene and self-care. A child with schizophrenia may come to school dirty, disheveled and dressed in yesterday's clothes.
Disorganized Thinking and Speech
Schizophrenic children tend to have problems with concentration, memory and speech, according to the website Neuroscience for Kids. Many schizophrenic children have hallucinations or delusions making focusing on tasks challenging. They have difficulties remembering things and expressing their thoughts and feelings so that people can understand what they want. These children usually have trouble following a project or task from the beginning to the end, shifting their focus halfway through the task. In addition, they generally do poorly in school because of their low IQ scores and low verbal abilities. These children lack the ability to speak clearly and concisely. They often provide short and empty answers when they are asked questions.
Rigidity
According to Ohio Health Online, children with schizophrenia may appear to be rigid or stiff. These children may become fixed in a single position for long periods of time. These children tend to have reduced movement or immobility. They may sit and stare at an object for hours without movement. Schizophrenic children generally mimic other people by repeating what they say or copying their gestures. In addition, some may be extremely resistant to change and may refuse to follow instructions or comply with authority.
