Childhood Onset Schizophrenia

Paper Summary:

This paper addresses childhood onset schizophrenia (COS) and the controversy surrounding the causes as well as the diagnostic distinction between childhood onset schizophrenia and the more known disorder schizophrenia, which is prevalent in adults. For the purposes of providing a differential diagnosis and a definitive clinical picture of COS, the paper examines the disorder as diagnosed prior to the age of thirteen. The paper points out that, until recently, the term childhood schizophrenia was given to a highly diverse mix of children with very little in common other than a profound and chronic disturbance during early childhood. The paper concludes that, although much work has been written about childhood onset schizophrenia, there are still many issues subject to debate.

From the Paper:

"The assessment of diagnosing childhood onset schizophrenia is a very delicate matter and all areas of the child's life have to come into consideration. Because of the severity of schizophrenia and the elements it shares with other psychotic mood disorders, it is very important to perform thorough assessment prior to diagnosis. This assessment involves structured interviews, symptom scales, and diagnostic decision trees like those found in the DSM-IV-TR manual. The individuals that should be interviewed include the child, their parents, teachers, siblings and even their peers. A clear distinction is necessary to be determined so that proper action can be taken. The interview with parents and children must be thorough and include information on recent events, changes in mental state and functioning, developmental history and, as we have seen before family history. Information on family history is significant as the rate of schizophrenia is increased among first degree relatives (Gonthier, 2004)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Foster, K., Swartz, L., de Jager, W. (2006). The clinical presentation of childhood-onset schizophrenia: a literature review. South African Journal of Psychology, 36(2), 299-318.
• Gonthier, M., & Lyon, A. M. (2004). Childhood-onset schizophrenia: an overview. Psychology in the Schools, 41(7), 803-811.
• Greenstein, D., Lerch, J., Shaw, P., Clasen, L., Giedd, J., Gochman, P., Rapoport, J., Gogtay, N. (2006). Childhood onset schizophrenia: cortical brain abnormalities. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 47(10), 1003-1012.
• Masi, G., Mucci, M., Pari, C. (2006). Children with schizophrenia: clinical picture and pharmacological treatment. CNS Drugs, 20(10), 841, 26.

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