What is adolescent schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health illness. Symptoms of schizophrenia for adolescents may begin between 13 and 17 years of age.

Adolescents with schizophrenia may see a change in the way they think or decisions they make. Relating to others, including friends and family, may also become challenging. Adolescents with schizophrenia may find it hard to manage their feelings and may act or speak in ways that seem unacceptable or confusing. This is because they may have a distorted or unclear view of their surroundings.

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?

The symptoms are the same at any age but may vary based on the person. You can read more about the symptoms of schizophrenia here.

How is schizophrenia diagnosed in adolescents?

Diagnosis should be made by a doctor that has experience in evaluating and treating mental illnesses in adolescents.

The symptoms of schizophrenia are typically harder to identify and interpret in adolescents than adults. As a result, adolescents with schizophrenia are often misdiagnosed with other mood, learning, or developmental disorders. For this reason, doctors must rule out these other medical conditions before diagnosing a patient with schizophrenia.

How common is schizophrenia in adolescents?

Schizophrenia is much less common in adolescents than in adults. People with schizophrenia may begin having symptoms in their 20s, but sometimes symptoms may occur during the later teenage years. Schizophrenia affects both genders equally, but it’s more common for men to experience symptoms in their late teens.