Childhood-onset schizophrenia
Kimoto, K.; Matsumoto, H.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 71(4): 701-705
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 23678603 Document Number: 667665
Childhood-onset schizophrenia has been clinically studied and is believed to be on a continuum with adult-onset schizophrenia. However, childhood-onset schizophrenia is more difficult to diagnose than it is in adults, since children are in a developmental state. This article reviewed the literature regarding childhood-onset schizophrenia. This article discusses the clinical features, development until manifestation, possibility of early diagnosis, and treatment. Early intervention may improve the prognosis of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. However, early intervention of childhood-onset schizophrenia requires case histories with accurate descriptions of the development of the disease until its onset.