Child Schizophrenia: Theory and Practice

Abstract

Child schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects brain structures, emotional and cognitive functions. The disorder is characterized by psychotic symptoms: disorder of thinking, inadequate emotional reactions, disorganized behavior, deterioration of social functioning and loss of will. Schizophrenia in children is one of the most common mental illnesses affecting up to 1% of all children. For a long time, the term "child schizophrenia" was used to refer to various disorders that had similarities with each other. Children were referred to schizophrenics if they had borderline symptoms. Child schizophrenia develops gradually; sudden onset it is not common. Schizophrenic child requires help from multidisciplinary team members including child and adolescent psychiatrist and all possible levels of psychotherapy and psychological interventions. This article discusses classification, clinical presentation, all possible treatment and rehabilitation of children with schizophrenia.