The behavior of children and adolescents with schizophrenia may differ from that of adults with this illness. Child and adolescent psychiatrists look for several of the following early warning signs in youngsters with schizophrenia:

• seeing things and hearing voices which are not real (hallucinations)
• odd and eccentric behavior, and/or speech
• unusual or bizarre thoughts and ideas
• confusing television and dreams from reality
• confused thinking
• extreme moodiness
• ideas that people are "out to get them" or talking about them
• behaving like a younger child
• severe anxiety and fearfulness
• difficulty relating to peers and keeping friends
• withdrawn and increased isolation
• decline in personal hygiene

These early problems may first be noticed by the child's school teachers. Parents should ask their family physician or pediatrician to refer them to a child and adolescent psychiatrist who is specifically trained and skilled at evaluating, diagnosing, and treating children with schizophrenia.

Getting Help
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Sources: Wisconsin United for Mental Health, Office of the United States Surgeon General, National Institute on Mental Health, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Mental Health America