Pediatric schizophrenia

Pediatric schizophrenia (also known as childhood schizophrenia, childhood-onset schizophrenia, and early-onset schizophrenia) is a type of mental disorder that is characterized by degeneration of thinking, motor, and emotional processes, with onset before age 18 (early onset) or before age 13 (very early onset). The disease presents symptoms such as auditory and visual hallucinations, strange thoughts or feelings, and abnormal behavior, profoundly impacting the childs ability to function and sustain normal interpersonal relationships. It typically presents after the age of seven. About 50% of young children diagnosed with schizophrenia experience severe neuropsychiatric symptoms. Diagnostic criteria are similar to those of adult schizophrenia. Diagnosis is based on behavior observed by caretakers and, in some cases depending on age, self reports.