Schizophrenia: information for parents, carers and anyone
who works with young people
About this factsheet
This is one in a series of factsheets for
parents, carers, professionals
and young people entitled Mental Health and Growing
Up. The aims of these factsheets are to provide practical,
up-to-date information about mental health problems (emotional,
behavioural and psychiatric disorders) that can affect children and
young people. This factsheet explains what schizophrenia is and
gives practical help and advice about how and where to get help for
young people affected by this mental illness.
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that
affects thinking, emotions and behaviour. It is the most common
form of psychosis.
Over a lifetime, about 1 in 100 people will
develop schizophrenia. It is most likely to start between the ages
of 15 and 35 years, but can sometimes occur in younger
children. The illness might last for a long time and can be very
disabling.
What are the symptoms?
Schizophrenia affects everybody differently.
There are two groups of symptoms, which are described as
‘positive’ and ‘negative’. This
doesn’t mean some are good and some are bad; more that some are
about ‘doing’ things or experiencing symptoms and some are about
‘not doing’ things (see below). Young people with schizophrenia
often have a mixture of the two.
Sometimes, the illness develops slowly and can
be hard to spot, although some young people become unwell very
quickly.
Strange beliefs or delusions
are very strongly held beliefs that are not only untrue, but can
seem quite bizarre. The young person may believe that they are
someone different, a world leader or celebrity for example, or they
may believe that other people are ‘out to get them’. They will
believe this is true no matter what you say.
Thought disorder is when
someone is not thinking straight and it is hard to make sense of
what they are saying. Their ideas may be jumbled up, but it is more
than being muddled or confused.
Hallucinations are when
someone sees, hears, smells or feels something that isn’t really
there. The most common hallucination that people have is hearing
voices. In schizophrenia, hallucinations are totally real to the
person having them. This can be very frightening and can make them
believe that they are being watched or picked on. People who are
having these experiences may act strangely. For example, they may
talk or laugh to themselves or appear to be talking to
somebody that you can’t see.
The young person suffering from schizophrenia can become
withdrawn and appear unemotional. They seem to lose interest, stop
washing regularly and can spend a lot of time on their
own. They may not be able to carry on with their normal activities,
and usually find it difficult to concentrate on work or study.
Other symptoms
Some young people can become frustrated
and angry even towards their own family. Others may take
drugs or drink alcohol to feel better. Some find the symptoms
so distressing that they want to self-harm.
Despite how they are described in the media,
people suffering from schizophrenia are not more dangerous or
violent than anyone else. However, they may come across as worrying
and unpredictable, especially when they feel frightened by their
strange experiences.
What causes schizophrenia?
We do not know the exact cause of schizophrenia, although it
does seem to relate to chemical imbalances in the brain. Research
shows that having parents or close relatives with mental illness,
experiencing stress and using drugs like cannabis can all be
associated with having schizophrenia.
How do I get help?
The earlier it is recognised that a young
person is ill, the better the chances of getting effective
treatment. This speeds recovery and reduces the long-term harm.
Some people can make a complete recovery.
Even if your child won’t come with you, you
might find it helpful to talk to your GP. It is likely that you
will be referred to a psychiatrist in a child and adolescent mental health
service or an Early Intervention Team or Service (EIS)
if this is available locally. EIS professionals are specialists in
working with young people with psychosis. If your child is very
unwell, they may need admission to hospital for a period of time
until their condition stabilises.
What is the treatment for schizophrenia?
Medications called ‘antipsychotics’ are an
important part of the treatment of schizophrenia. They treat the
symptoms of the illness, but tend to be more effective with
positive symptoms than negative symptoms. Hallucinations and
delusions may take weeks and sometimes months to improve.
Unfortunately, schizophrenia can recur, and may need long-term
treatment.
A number of different antipsychotics are available, and the psychiatrist will
advise which is the best for your child. Sometimes, several
different drugs will need to be tried to find the most effective
for a particular young person..
Some medicine for the treatment of schizophrenia are
'unlicensed' in children and young people. This does not mean
they do not work, but simple that the drug company has not applied
for a license. If you are worried about this, you should speak to
your doctor or pharmacist.
Practical help and support
It is crucial that medication is combined with
practical help and support for the young person and their family.
This should cover:
- Understanding the
illness
It is very important that the young person
with schizophrenia and their family are helped to understand the
condition.
- Resuming education, training or
starting work
An episode of schizophrenia can interfere with
education because it is difficult for a young person to learn when
unwell. An important part of recovery is to plan for their
future.
- Coping with specific
symptoms
Some people with schizophrenia find
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
(CBT) helpful in managing hallucinations, in addition
to the medicine prescribed.
Sources of further information
YoungMinds
Parents Helpline for any adult concerned about the
emotions and behaviour of a child and young person. Parents
helpline: 0808 802 5544.
Mind: national mental health
charity for England and Wales.
Rethink offers help to
people with severe mental illness and their carers.
Sane and SaneLine. SaneLine
is a national out-of-hours telephone helpline offering emotional
support and information for people affected by mental health
problems. Tel: 0845 767 8000.
TalktoFrank for drug
induced psychosis.
Recommended reading
-
The Young Mind: An essential guide to mental health
for young adults, parents and teachers, Bantam Press, 2009.
- Fuller-Torrey, E. (2006) Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for
Patients, Families and Providers (5 th Edition). Publisher:
Quill
References
Rutter’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
Fifth Edition (2008). Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell.
National Institute of Clinical
Excellence (NICE, 2009), Clinical Guidelines, CG82: Core
interventions in the treatment and management of schizophrenia in
primary and secondary care (update).
Series editor: Dr Mona Freeman
Editorial Board: Child and Family Public
Education Editorial Board. Reviewed by: Dr Vasu Balaguru.
Revised: June 2010; next due for review: June
2012
© Royal College of
Psychiatrists. This leaflet may be downloaded, printed out,
photocopied and distributed free of charge as long as the Royal
College of Psychiatrists is properly credited and no profit is
gained from its use. Permission to reproduce it in any other way
must be obtained from the Head
of Publications. The College does not allow reposting of its
leaflets on other sites, but allows them to be linked to
directly.
Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our FAQ for advice on getting help.
Please answer the following questions and press 'submit' to send your answers OR
E-mail your responses to dhart@rcpsych.ac.uk
On each line, click on the mark which most closely reflects how you feel about
the statement in the left hand column.
Your answers will help us to make this leaflet more useful - please try to rate
every item.
Did you look at this leaflet because you are a (maximum of 2 categories
please):
Age group (please tick correct box)