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, young people and anyone who works with them
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 disorder
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. Shizophrenia is rare before puberty. It is
most likely to start between the ages of 15 and 35 years, but can
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.
These are beliefs that are not only untrue, but that 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. This 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. These 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 and appear as if talking to
somebody that you can’t see.
The young person suffering from schizophrenia
may become withdrawn and appear unemotional. They seem to lose
interest, stop washing regularly or 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.
They may become frustrated and angry even
towards their own family. Some may try to smoke or drink alcohol to
feel better. Some young people find the symptoms so distressing
that they may 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. But 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. However,
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 general practitioner. 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, if
this is available locally. Early Intervention Teams 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 disappear.
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 before the best ‘fit’ is found.
As with all medication, antipsychotics do have
side-effects. Your doctor can advise you about what they are 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.
Practical help and support
It is crucial that medication is combined with
practical help and support for the young person and their family.
This includes:
- Help with understanding the
illness
It is very important that the young person
with schizophrenia and their family are helped to understand the
condition.
- Help to resume education or start
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 the young
person’s future.
- Help with family
relationships
- Help to cope with voices
(hallucinations)
Some people with schizophrenia find a type of
psychotherapy, Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy (CBT), helpful in managing voices,
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 Mind: A User's Guide: Editor Raj Persaud,
Bantam Press, 2007.
-
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.
Revised: March 2010; next due for review: March
2012
© [2004] Royal College of
Psychiatrists. This leaflet may be downloaded, printed out,
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