SUBTLE SIGNS MAY INDICATE EARLY ONSET

SUMI (name changed) was in high school when her parents noticed a marked shift in her behaviour towards them and her peers.

- - RISHITA KHANNA

She often got into fights with her parents, lacked personal hygiene, and kept postponing daily routines. Her academic performance too was on the decline.

She started avoiding friends, and became a social recluse. She also started muttering to herself and shrugged it off when asked about it. "When her mother noticed that the girl did not focus while studying, she took her for counselling. During evaluation, it was found that she had schizophrenia as she had severe auditory hallucinations, and was referred to a psychiatrist," said Dr Jamila K Warrier, Coordinator & Consultant Psychologist at KIMSHEALTH, Thiruvanthapuram. A year later, after receiving treatment, Sumi is doing fine.

Schizophrenia in children, though very rare, is a serious mental health disorder that can significantly impact a child's development and daily life. Characterised by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganised thinking, early-onset schizophrenia often manifests with subtle signs like speech delays and social withdrawal.

However, experts emphasise that with a combination of medication, therapy, and family support, early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes, helping children lead independent lives despite the challenges of this condition. Schizophrenia affects how a person perceives reality, feels, and behaves. While it is most commonly diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood, it can also affect children, says Dr Sushma Gopalan, child psychologist and child life specialist, at Aster CMI Hospital, terming the condition as earlyonset schizophrenia (EOS).