A teen’s poor school performance can be caused by different factors but one rarely discussed cause could be the mental illness, schizophrenia. While a bad report card might not be the only symptom of the illness, it could be the one you notice first. Let’s look at some of the other things you should look out for if your teen is performing poorly at school.
Risk Factors You Should Know
Though doctors have been diagnosing schizophrenia for years, there’s still a lot that remains unknown about its causes. While a family history of the illness can be a contributing factor, up to 60% of persons who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia have no relatives with it.
On the other side of the coin, a large percentage of persons who have a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia never develop it.
Doctors have suggested that external factors such as stressful situations can spark the development of schizophrenia.
There is also some evidence that illnesses in the late stage of pregnancy, substance abuse, or poor nutrition could influence a child’s likelihood of having schizophrenia.
Since it’s so difficult to determine someone’s risk for having schizophrenia based on their history, it’s more beneficial to look out for certain symptoms.
Early Signs Of Schizophrenia In Teens
It’s unusual for schizophrenia to be diagnosed in children below the age of 13 to be diagnosed with schizophrenia but it’s not impossible.
Younger children may show extreme delays in walking and talking. They may also flop their arms a lot and have long periods of inactivity. As children approach adolescence, however, more symptoms can appear.
These symptoms include:
As you might expect, all of these symptoms might not show up at the same time or ever. However, even one is enough reason to check in with your doctor for an assessment.
How To Help Your Teen Cope With Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a lifelong mental illness that will always need medical intervention.
Once your teen has been diagnosed with the illness, you must ensure that they keep their appointments and take their medication as prescribed. Additionally, doctors recommend that you get them in the habit of exercising regularly and eating well.
As an adult, you will need to communicate with your child’s school about the diagnosis as well as any specific support your child might need. However, it’s also a good opportunity for you to teach your teen about the importance of talking about their schizophrenia diagnosis with those they’re close with. They will need these skills as they get closer.
Finally, you will both need to have a good support structure in place. This structure can be made of friends, loved ones, or counselors. The important thing is that you’re getting the resources you need to effectively take care of yourselves.
Schizophrenia can be a scary diagnosis, at first, but it can be managed. If you are concerned that your teen is showing signs of the illness, see a doctor immediately. The earlier you get your child started on a treatment program, the earlier their lives will start to stabilize.
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