Description: the most chronic and debilitating of all psychiatric conditions, and the most widespread form of psychosis.
“Schizophrenia,” which literally means “split mind,” is frequently confused with a separate disorder, “split personality or multiple personality disorder.” Schizophrenia causes people to waver between reality and their own distorted perception of reality. Early intervention may improve a youngster’s prognosis. Unfortunately, the subtle warning signs are apt to be attributed to the normal growing pains of adolescence.
Signs of Schizophrenia
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impaired concentration
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bizarre thoughts, ideas, statements (delusions)
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seeing imaginary objects or people; hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinations)
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severe depression
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jumbled thinking and incoherent speech
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lack of emotion, or “flat affect”
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withdrawing socially from others
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paralyzing anxiety and fear
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immature behavior
