It is very rare, affecting less than 0.04% of children.
It can severely affect a child’s development and their ability to function on a daily basis.
The diagnosis requires the exclusion of other medical or mental health conditions that may have similar symptoms.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
When Does Schizophrenia Usually Develop?
The symptoms of schizophrenia usually start in young adulthood, between late adolescence and the early 30s.
EOS is rare, with an estimated prevalence of 0.23%.
Professional Screenings
Schizophreniatypically develops slowly.
You will also discuss yourfamily’s medical history, particularly any mental health conditions.
Labs and Tests
A diagnosis of childhood schizophrenia requires the exclusion of other conditions.
Certain tests can be performed to help make the correct diagnosis.
It also lets them assess the child for any health complications.
Imaging studies to look for these changes and to rule out other neurological conditions might be performed.
Differential Diagnosis
Adifferential diagnosisis a crucial factor when diagnosing childhood schizophrenia.
Behaviors in Healthy Children
Some of the symptoms of childhood schizophrenia appear in healthy children.
For example, having a vivid imagination and fantasies are typical parts of childhood.
However, many families report that disruptive behavior began before their child started school.
The warning signs may start when a child is very young.
People diagnosed with schizophrenia in childhood have more developmental difficulties than those diagnosed later in life.
Very early developmental warning signs include:
A Word From Verywell
Childhood schizophrenia is rare.
Most behavioral changes or early warning signs associated with the condition will have other more common causes.
Driver DI, Gogtay N, Rapoport JL.Childhood-onset schizophrenia and early-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am.
2013;22(4):539-555. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2013.04.001
National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.
2019;2019:1-15. doi:10.1155/2019/9804836
Bartlett J.Childhood-onset schizophrenia: what do we really know?.Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine.
2017;43(6):1176-1189. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbx126
