Assignment 1: Early Onset Schizophrenia

Early Onset Schizophrenia Students Name Institutional Affiliation Date Early Onset Schizophrenia Very early-onset schizophrenia is identified by delusions, cognitive impairment, and hallucinations in children below the age of 13 years. Early-onset schizophrenia affects adolescents 12-18 years old while adult-onset schizophrenia affects people above 18 years old (Thomas 2017). Schizophrenia undergoes three phases: the prodromal phase, active phase, and residual phase. The actual cause of schizophrenia is unknown though research suggests that a combination of environmental, physical, genetic and psychological factors can cause a person to develop this condition. If left untreated, it causes immense emotional, behavioral and physical problems that affect the victim’s whole life. It may also cause depression. Evidence-based treatment for adults Electroconvulsive therapy Under this treatment, seizures are induced electrically in patients to relieve them from mental disorders. This treatment has been effective when used to treat adults suffering from schizophrenia than treating children and adolescents. Psychosocial intervention It aims at modifying the patient’s emotional state and behavior with the social environment. Family interventions, cognitive remediation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and social skill training have been effective for adults with schizophrenia and may also work on children and adolescents. Evidence-based treatment for children and adolescent Antipsychotics This medication is considered to be the first-line treatment for patients with Schizophrenia. Research shows that administering this treatment on children and adolescents has been more effective than on adults (Vourdas & Frangou, 2003). It results in significant improvement in positive symptoms and no improvement in negative symptoms. Psychoeducation It aims at providing information about the disorder and gives treatment that can be adopted. In children it is traumatic and adequate time must be give...