Mental Heath and Growing Up
Factsheet
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. These factsheets aim 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.
How common is schizophrenia?
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, while in other young people the illness begins
very quickly.
Positive symptoms
- 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.
Negative symptoms
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 (CAMHS) 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 the best is for
your child. Sometimes, several different drugs will need to be
tried to find the most effective medication for a particular young
person.
As with all medication, there can be
side-effects. The psychiatrists will advise on these and what can
be done to help. The risk of side-effects needs to be balanced
against the risk of the damaging effects of the illness on a young
person’s life.
Some medicines for the treatment of
schizophrenia are 'unlicensed' in children and young people. This
does not mean they do not work, but simply 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.
1. Family
relationships
Experiencing stress, hostility and criticism
can all increase the chance of relapse. Families need help with
recognising and reducing these factors, and with how best to
support the young person. Young people with schizophrenia can live
independently just like peers of their own age. Professionals and
family working with them may need to support and help them in this
process
2. Coping with
specific symptoms
Some people with schizophrenia find Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helpful in managing hallucinations, in
addition to the medicine prescribed.
Further information
Mind
A national mental health charity for England
and Wales.
Young Minds
A charity that offers information to young
people about mental health and emotional well-being.
TalktoFrank
For drug induced psychosis.
Further reading
Fuller-Torrey, E. (2006) Surviving
Schizophrenia: A Manual for Patients, Families and Providers (5th
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).
- Revised by the Royal College of
Psychiatrists’ Child and Family Public Education Editorial
Board.
- Series Editor: Dr Vasu Balaguru
This leaflet reflects the best possible
evidence at the time of writing.
© March 2012. Due for review March 2014. 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
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Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our FAQ for advice on getting help.
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