![]() ![]() Ask your mental health providers for help if you are not sure how to explain the situation. Consider support groups for your other children to help them deal with the stress they are experiencing. Again, in an age-appropriate manner, explain schizophrenia. ![]() Siblings also suffer when a brother or sister is ill. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about a support group for caregivers of children with schizophrenia or seek counseling. Being in touch with other parents who have a child with schizophrenia may be helpful. You may feel overwhelmed or stressed out. Work with your child’s healthcare provider and school to develop a treatment plan. Tell others who need to know about your child’s schizophrenia.Your child’s care team will depend on their needs and how serious the schizophrenia is. Your child may get care from a team that may include experts like psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, school psychologists, teachers and social workers. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about other providers who will be involved in your child’s care.Be sure you understand your child's medicines, including what side effects to look for, what do to when a dose is missed, and when to call the provider.Talk with your child’s provider about referring your child to a psychiatrist with experience evaluating and treating children with schizophrenia. Keep all appointments with your child’s healthcare provider and educational team.If you are uncomfortable doing this, ask your child's mental health professional for help. Since this is a life-long illness, the more you can empower your child to understand schizophrenia, be aware of their unique symptoms, and learn how the illness is managed, the better prepared your child will be to care for themselves as they age. In an age-appropriate manner, explain schizophrenia to your child and the reasons they need to take medicines and talk to so many adults.Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that will require your support, patience and attention. How can I help prevent schizophrenia in my child? These can help the child learn ways to cope with the disorder and also work on social skills. These may include social skills training, vocational training and speech and language therapy. Specialized educational or structured activity programs.This may include supportive, thinking and behavioral therapy. Examples are lithium and valproic acid, especially in the early stages of the illness. This special class of medicines can reduce symptoms or reduce how severe the symptoms are. Medicines to help reduce delusions and hallucinations (antipsychotics). ![]() The doses and types of medicines may need to be adjusted from time to time so they can keep working well. Treatment is aimed at easing symptoms and improving your child's quality of life. A child often needs a combination of therapies and resources to meet the specific needs. Treatment is complex and needs direction from an expert in childhood schizophrenia, such as a board certified child psychiatrist. Schizophrenia is a serious, life-long mental illness. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age and general health. How is schizophrenia diagnosed in a child? Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis. These symptoms may look like other health problems. Children also don’t tend to have delusions or formal thought problems until they are in their teens or older. Odd behaviors, such as an older child acting like they are much youngerĬhildren with schizophrenia have the same symptoms as adults with the condition.Or catatonic behavior, such as sitting and staring, as if the child can’t move. Disorganized behavior, such as doing private things in public.Social withdrawal, such as having problems making and keeping friends.Trouble doing schoolwork or a drop in levels of school success.Lack of emotional expression when speaking.Ideas that seem real but are not based in reality (delusions).Seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not real, such as hearing voices (hallucinations).Fear or belief that someone or something is going to harm them.Detailed and bizarre thoughts and ideas.Confused thinking, such as confusing TV with reality.Trouble telling dreams from reality (distorted view of reality).They may start to talk about odd ideas or fears and start to cling more to parents.Įach child’s symptoms may vary. The child may slowly become more shy and withdrawn. Behavior changes may occur slowly, over time.
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