Schizophrenia most often begins in late adolescence or young adulthood, but it can be difficult for parents to differentiate typical teenage behavior like mood swings and emotional outbursts from symptoms of serious mental illness.
Signs of schizophrenia in teenagers, which usually present gradually over days, weeks, or months, can also be mistaken for anxiety, depression, or substance abuse, but there are clear differences. Early medical intervention is crucial for schizophrenic patients of any age, so if you notice any of the following signs in your teenager’s behavior, set up a consultation with a doctor right away.
Behavioral symptoms of schizophrenia
Changes in behavior are the most distinctive signs of schizophrenia, and while hearing or talking to “voices” is a common indicator, it doesn’t always resemble the behavior as depicted in movies and television shows. For example, a teenager who talks to him or herself often, sometimes using odd speech that’s not easy to understand, could be showing signs of schizophrenia. Other behavioral changes to look for include:
- Inability to cry or express joy
- Inappropriate laughter or crying
- Unusual movements of the body and face
- Flat, expressionless gaze
- Disorganized speech or veering off topic often
- Becoming isolated from friends and family
- Difficulty with personal relationships
- Decline in personal hygiene and grooming
- Threatening behaviors, hostility or angry outbursts
Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia
One of the mildest symptoms of schizophrenia—and one that could be easily mistaken for another mental illness or learning disability—is lack of concentration or ability to follow a train of thought. However, concentration issues are one of many possible cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Other changes in thinking include:
- Visual, auditory, or olfactory hallucinations
- Confusing fiction and dreams with reality
- Moderate to severe paranoia
- Severe fearfulness or anxiety
- Intensive dwelling on the past
- Abnormal, nonsensical ideation
- Forgetfulness or loss of memory
Delusions as a key indicator of schizophrenia
About 90% of people with schizophrenia, including teenagers, experience different types of delusions, making it one of the clearest indicators of schizophrenia that does not overlap with other mental illnesses or typical teenage behavior. A delusion in this context is a firmly held idea that persists despite clear and obvious evidence that it is not based in reality. Types of delusions include:
- Delusions of persecution: The belief that a vague “they” are out to get you (e.g. the government or aliens are trying to poison you)
- Delusions of reference: The belief that neutral sources are sending out personal messages (e.g. celebrity is communicating to you through the TV)
- Delusions of grandeur: Belief that you are a famous or important figure, or that you have unusual powers (e.g. X-ray vision or the power to fly)
- Delusions of control: Belief that your thoughts or actions are controlled by outside forces (e.g. the CIA is planting thoughts in my head)
Treatment for schizophrenia
There is no cure for schizophrenia, but with the right treatment, people with the disease are able to regain normal functioning and in some cases become symptom-free. But the first step in treatment is diagnosis, so if you or a teenaged loved one is showing any of the above signs of schizophrenia, it’s important to schedule a medical evaluation as soon as possible.
Schizophrenia treatment research in San Diego
Research into effective treatments for schizophrenia is ongoing, and Synergy Research Centers offers outpatient schizophrenia clinical trials for the latest in treatment options. Young adults age 18 and up who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia are encouraged to participate. For more information, fill out our contact form or call us at (619) 304-1726.