Schizophrenia in Children



Schizophrenia in Children

Introduction

The paper will critically analyze an article about the schizophrenia in children. For this purpose, we have chosen the article, 'Management of Schizophrenia in Children and Adolescents', written by Masi Gabriele and Liboni Francesca, and published in 2011.

Analysis of the Article

The article presents a view on schizophrenia in children and adolescents, aged between 13 and 17. It has discussed a number of causes, symptoms and consequences of the disease in children and adolescents, and has also presented some interventions and strategies for the patients and their parents or family to prevent the disease at the beginning (Masi & Liboni, 2011).

Schizophrenia is a disease that causes weird and strange thoughts and feelings, and unusual behavior. In children, it is a rare psychiatric disorder that is difficult to detect in its early stages. The behavior of children and adolescents with schizophrenia differs from that of adults with this disease. Following are listed some of the symptoms of the disease:

They see nonexistent things or hearing voices

They have difficulty in distinguishing dreams from reality

They also have the confused thinking, i.e., bizarre and vivid thoughts and ideas

They usually demonstrate strange behavior

They have extreme moodiness

Severe anxiety and fearfulness

Behave like a younger child

Having problems in building and maintaining friendships

The behavior of children with schizophrenia may change slowly over time. Sometimes they start to talk about strange fears and ideas cling to their parents and say useless things. These early issues are often noticed by the teacher first.

This disease is a serious psychiatric disorder. Early diagnosis and medical treatment are necessary to prevent further complications in the behavior of the patient. Children who have the above listed symptoms must be investigated thoroughly. In general, these children need adapted treatment plans that are created by different experts. A combination of family ...