1. Ψ CDA PSYCHOLOGY UNIT Ψ RECOGNIZES WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2014!
THEME: Living with Schizophrenia
Focus: Schizophrenia in children and teenagers

2. Definition
Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behaviour.

3. Schizophrenia in children and teenagers
Rarely diagnosed in children--mostly diagnosed in late teens and young adulthood.
Children with schizophrenia often see or hear things that don’t really exist.
They harbour paranoid and bizarre beliefs. For example they may think that others are plotting against them.

4. Schizophrenia in children and teenagers
Other symptoms include: problems paying attention, impaired memory and reasoning, speech impairment, inappropriate or flat expression of emotion, poor social skills and a depressed mood.
Schizophrenia has a profound impact on a child's behavior and development
At times it is misdiagnosed as autism or bipolar disorder.

5. Treatment Lifelong treatment, that may include the following:
Antipsychotic medications
Individual and family therapy
Social and academic skills training
Hospitalization

6. Remember, there is no good health without good mental health!!!
WHERE TO GET HELP
Family doctor or a pediatrician
Psychiatrist or mental health professional
Child Guidance Clinics or Mental Health Clinics at your nearest health centre
CDA Psychologist, where applicable
Remember, there is no good health without good mental health!!!