Risk Factors and Diagnosis of Childhood Onset Schizophrenia or Early Onset Schizophrenia or Pediatric Schizophrenia

Despite not knowing the actual cause of childhood onset schizophrenia or early onset schizophrenia or pediatric schizophrenia, some particular factors seem to elevate the risk of development or triggers schizophrenia and it include:

• A Family history with schizophrenia.
• Exposure to toxins, malnutrition or viruses while inside the womb.
• The immune system might be activated abnormally, like autoimmune disease or inflammation. Like from autoimmune disease of inflammation.
• If the father was old.
• Psychoactive drug intake at teen age.

The symptoms of schizophrenia start in the late teen age to mid 30 generally. It is not common for children to have schizophrenia diagnosis. Children younger than 17 years exhibit childhood onset schizophrenia or early onset schizophrenia or pediatric schizophrenia. Children younger than 13 years old rarely have early onset schizophrenia or pediatric schizophrenia.

Severe health, emotional and behavioral problems are likely to occur if childhood onset schizophrenia or early onset schizophrenia or pediatric schizophrenia is left untreated. The following are schizophrenia associated complication that its occurrence is likely in childhood or at a later state.

• Inability to work or attend school or perfuming poorly.
• Unable to attend personal chores like dressing and bathing.
• Withdrawing from family and friends.
• Self injury
• Suicide
• Depression
• Phobias and anxiety
• Abuse or drug, prescription medications or drugs.
• Family conflicts
• Homelessness
• Aggressive behavior
• Problems of health such as those attributed to poor lifestyle choices, smoking and antipsychotic medication.
• Becoming a victim to behavior that is aggressive.
• Unable to live independently.

Supposing childhood onset schizophrenia or early onset schizophrenia or pediatric schizophrenia is suspected, the doctor of your child asks the history of medicine and psychiatry, after which a physical exam is, conducted also psychological and medical screening. School records might have to be reviewed by your doctor. This will rule out other problems as well as help in pinpointing the right diagnosis that causes the symptoms.

The process involved in diagnosis for childhood onset schizophrenia or early onset schizophrenia or pediatric schizophrenia is generally:

• Screening and tests. Blood test might be included in order to help in ruling out other conditions having the same symptoms and screening of drugs and alcohol. Imaging studies might also be requested by your doctor like MRI (Magnetic Imaging Resonance) or CT (Computerized Tomography) scans on the head in order to look for brain function abnormalities like seizures.
• Psychological evaluation. Demeanor and appearance observation is done here, inquiring about thoughts, behavioral and feeling patterns, seeking to know of thoughts of harming others or themselves by your child is sought, gauging the ability to think also to functioning at the appropriate age level, and also the asses of anxiety, psychotic symptom and mood.

It may be challenging and long sometimes during the path of childhood onset schizophrenia or early onset schizophrenia or pediatric schizophrenia diagnosis. Other conditions with the same symptoms are present like bipolar disorder and depression. The perceptions thinking pattern and behavior of your child might be monitored by the psychiatrist for as long as six months.

An example is to know where the problems occur, whether in school, at home or everywhere. Medication might be recommended by a psychiatrist prior to proper diagnostic process is made. Symptoms of self injury or aggression might be necessary in these cases. A sense of normalcy can be restored by this medicine and due to the limiting effect that some of these medicine have.

In order for childhood onset schizophrenia or early onset schizophrenia or pediatric schizophrenia diagnosis, a certain criteria must be met by your child as set in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) published under American Psychiatric Association. Mental conditionals are diagnosed by mental health providers basing on this manual also insurance company uses it when reimbursing for treatment.

Your child may be diagnosed with a disorder which is nonspecific by a psychiatrist. As behavior and thinking symptoms and patterns are becoming clearer in due course, if his criteria of schizophrenia are met, a diagnosis can be made.

Childhood onset schizophrenia or early onset schizophrenia or pediatric schizophrenia diagnosis is similar to that of adult schizophrenia generally. This entails the ruling out of other mental health abnormalities and in the determination that the symptoms are not because of substance abuse, medical condition or medication.

Two of these signs and symptoms must be present for a person most of the time in a span of one month, with disturbance to some extend presenting over 6 months.

• Delusion
• Hallucination
• Disorganized behavior
• Disorganized speech
• Negative symptoms relating to reduced or lack of normal functional ability.
• Catatonic behavior, ranging from coma-daze to bizarre and hyperactive behavior.

One of symptoms like delusion, disorganized speech or hallucination must be present. School attendance and performance of normal tasks on a daily basis will significantly reduce a couple of times.

Also Read:

• Early Onset Schizophrenia or Pediatric Schizophrenia or Schizophrenia in Children: Causes, Symptoms
• Treatment, Recovery Period for Early Onset Schizophrenia or Pediatric Schizophrenia or Childhood Onset Schizophrenia