Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a range of symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired social functioning. It affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.
In schizophrenia, individuals may experience a variety of feelings and symptoms, including:
Hallucinations: Sensing things that are not real, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others cannot.
Delusions: Holding beliefs that are not based in reality, often involving paranoia or grandiosity.
Disorganized thinking: Difficulty organizing thoughts or making logical connections, leading to speech that may be incoherent or fragmented.
Negative symptoms: Reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, and decreased ability to experience pleasure.
Cognitive impairments: Problems with memory, attention, and executive function, which can impact daily functioning and decision-making.
Schizophrenia in children is rare but possible. It typically manifests differently than in adults and can be challenging to diagnose due to overlapping symptoms with other developmental disorders. Some signs of schizophrenia in children may include:
Social withdrawal: A reluctance to interact with peers or family members.
Difficulty in school: Decline in academic performance, trouble concentrating, or changes in behavior.
Unusual beliefs or perceptions: Expressing unusual ideas or beliefs that are not based in reality.
