Teenage schizophrenia can be difficult to diagnose. Though this condition typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood, it can occasionally be difficult to distinguish symptoms between typical teenage moodiness and indications of a more serious illness.
Knowing what symptoms to look out for and when to consult your doctor are helpful.
Things to Watch Out for
Adolescent symptoms may appear gradually over a few days, weeks, months, or longer. We refer to this as the prodromal phase. Early-stage symptoms of schizophrenia might occasionally resemble those of other conditions, like depression or anxiety.
The symptoms may initially appear to be typical of the adolescent years, such as poor grades, friend changes, insomnia, or irritation.
However, there are several early warning indicators that manifest as behavioural, emotional, and thought changes in teenagers.
a. Modifications in Thought
b. Inadequate focus or inability to follow a coherent thought
c. Perception of unreal sounds or images (hallucinations)
d. Confusing reality with dreams and television
e. Unusual beliefs that might not make sense, such as believing that one's parents are thieves or that they are under the influence of a bad spirit
f. Paranoia is the belief that others are pursuing them or discussing them.
g. Fixing excessively on the past Shifts in Feelings
Being incredibly unpleasant or moody
Outbursts of rage
Extreme dread or anxiety
Modifications in Conduct
Bad personal hygiene and neglect of oneself
Misuse of substances
Threatening actions
Unblinking, blank face
Awkward or strange facial or bodily gestures
Talking to themselves, speaking in a strange or difficult-to-understand manner, or changing topics quickly
Inappropriate reactions, like giggling while watching a depressing film
Difficulty “reading” other people’s social cues
Issues forming and maintaining friendships
Growing increasingly alone
When to Make a Medical Call
Your teen needs to be checked out by a doctor immediately if you observe any symptoms similar to these. This is particularly true if there is a history of schizophrenia in either side of the family.
In addition to asking your adolescent about their thoughts and actions, the doctor may conduct a quick physical examination and provide blood or urine tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions or substance misuse issues.
In order to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, a patient’s symptoms must be present for at least six months and not appear to be the result of another physical or mental health issue. A definitive diagnosis may not always be made for more than six months, depending on how the symptoms develop over time.
You can get a recommendation for a teen-focused psychiatrist from your family doctor. In order to diagnose and treat schizophrenia, a psychiatrist has received specialised training.
If your adolescent suffers with the illness, a mix of therapies might be most effective. Medication and family and individual therapy are two possible examples of this.
Hearing the diagnosis might be difficult. However, many with schizophrenia can attend college, work, and lead families when given the appropriate care.