Are you caring for a teenager with suspected or diagnosed Schizophrenia?
You may find yourself having a hard time seeing your son or daughter experience this mental health condition. As a parent, you may feel overwhelmed and isolated especially if you cannot connect with your teen.
To help you understand what they are going through and how you can help yourself, we have prepared some information about Schizophrenia in teenagers.
Schizophrenia is a condition that affects a person’s experience of reality. A person diagnosed with Schizophrenia will experience episodes of Psychosis, which means they experience delusions and hallucinations and find it hard to distinguish what is real and what isn’t.
It is important to understand that a person can experience psychosis but not have Schizophrenia, as there are various forms of psychosis.
Health professionals make a diagnosis for a teenager with Schizophrenia based on a pattern of signs and symptoms combined with changes in their everyday functioning. For this reason, a diagnosis of Schizophrenia takes time and, in general, people have been mentally unwell for quite some time before a diagnosis is made.
Schizophrenia falls into the category of ‘severe mental condition’ since this lifelong condition has no definite cure yet. However, this condition can be effectively managed, and it is possible to live a stable life with the right medications and support.
Schizophrenia in teens or adolescents is very rare but can be carried over from their childhood if they didn’t receive adequate treatment.
One of the main symptoms of schizophrenia in teens is recurring Psychosis which is also rare but not uncommon. A teenager experiencing psychosis will find it hard to identify what is real from what isn’t. Even though they are getting treatment for psychosis but still experience episodes, they may be diagnosed with schizophrenia.
If your son or daughter is diagnosed with schizophrenia, it does not mean they will experience every symptom. It is important to remember that your teenager can have a very different experience from another child living with the same condition.
The main symptoms are:
Like many mental conditions, Schizophrenia doesn’t have just one single cause, it can be the result of a combination of several internal and external factors including:
Though most symptoms tend to develop during the late teens to mid-30s, your son or d daughter can experience symptoms of Schizophrenia and further develop the condition when not properly treated as soon as possible. Schizophrenia appears in about 0.3-0.7 percent of the population in most countries, including Australia.
Teens experiencing Psychosis is the number one indicator that your child may have schizophrenia. Other mental health conditions prevalent with teenagers and with similar symptoms like Anxiety and Borderline Personality Disorder may also show schizophrenia-like qualities in teens, but are not necessarily part of the diagnosis for schizophrenia. Consequently, it is necessary to get your child to a Pediatric GP or a psychiatrist to get the professional help that can rule out other behavioural and mental health conditions through systematic reviews of their physical and mental conditions. For teenagers to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, they must experience this condition on most days for at least 6 months.
Get the help your child needs through an early diagnosis. Since children with Schizophrenia require medical help specific to their needs, a treatment plan which takes into account their age and stage in life is necessary.
Through treatment the condition is manageable, and some people can live a relatively normal life including maintaining healthy relationships and securing a job. Medications are the cornerstone of Schizophrenia treatment and antipsychotic medications are the most commonly prescribed drugs. Schizophrenia requires lifelong treatment, even when symptoms have subsided. In addition to medications, an experienced psychiatrist usually guides some sort of psychosocial treatment and the treatment team may include a psychologist, social worker, psychiatric nurse and possibly a case manager to coordinate care.
Adolescence is one of the most important years of one’s life. Since this period can be tough for many, your teen can experience stress and other mental health conditions. But if you see unusual behaviour in your son or daughter, you can refer to online mental health services or through a helpline to get an idea of what your teenager may be experiencing. If your son or daughter shows serious symptoms, it’s best to bring them to a GP or Psychiatrist to seek professional help as early as possible so that they can devise an appropriate treatment plan for your teenager.
Seeing your son or daughter experience Schizophrenia can be very painful, but it can also be a stressful and frustrating experience for you and your family. Having a support group or a backbone through family and friends is essential. Community support groups, such as programs offered by HelpingMinds®, can also help you with what you are going through. We conduct free and confidential support to people who are caring for someone living with mental health challenges. We have programs that specifically cater to parents or guardians of children experiencing mental health conditions.
Would you like to know more about free and confidential mental health carer services and how we can support you? Please feel free to contact HelpingMinds® via the form below or on (08) 9427 7100. For one of our team to get back to you, we will require your email address and/or phone number. Please know all information provided will be treated completely confidential and in line with our privacy policy.
Latest News
Read our latest articles/blog posts.
Newsletter Signup
Stay up to date with our news, school programs and much more.
Referral Form
Referring someone to HelpingMinds® is a simple process.
Helping Australians since 1976.
© 2024 HelpingMinds®.
How We Can Help
Supporting Mental Health Issues For Families, Young People & Adults.
Get In Touch
All calls made to our Carer Centre will be directed to our metro or regional offices.
Head Office
182 Lord Street, Perth WA 6000
Phone: (08) 9427 7100
Fax: +61 (8) 9427 7119
Free Phone: 1800 811 747
HelpingMinds® respectfully acknowledge that we work on Aboriginal land and pay our respects to community members and Elders, past and present. Individuals pictured are models and are used for illustrative purposes only.
HelpingMinds® is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. HelpingMinds® welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, see our Diversity Statement.
HelpingMinds® prides itself on being an accessible and inclusive organisation, ensuring everyone who needs support is able to access the right service and receive the help they need. If you require accessible locations, an interpreter or translator services, please contact us. For more information, see our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.
Helping Australians since 1976.
© 2024 HelpingMinds®.
Privacy Policy
Eligibility Policy
Resources
Carer Rights
Feedback
How We Can Help
Supporting Mental Health Issues For Families, Young People & Adults.
Get In Touch
All calls made to our Carer Centre will be directed to our metro or regional offices.
Head Office
182 Lord Street, Perth WA 6000
Phone: (08) 9427 7100
Fax: +61 (8) 9427 7119
Free Phone: 1800 811 747
HelpingMinds® respectfully acknowledge that we work on Aboriginal land and pay our respects to community members and elders, past and present. Individuals pictured are models and are used for illustrative purposes only.
HelpingMinds® is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. HelpingMinds® welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, see our Diversity Statement.
HelpingMinds® prides itself on being an accessible and inclusive organisation, ensuring everyone who needs support is able to access the right service and receive the help they need. If you require accessible locations, an interpreter or translator services, please contact us. For more information, see our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.
© HelpingMinds. All rights reserved. ABN 26 183 089 857.
Copyright 2024