Treatment For Childhood Schizophrenia

Childhood schizophrenia is a chronic condition which lasts through adulthood, and because of this, schizophrenia in children requires lifelong treatment, even during periods when symptoms seem to have subsided.  The treatment is similar for all types of schizophrenia, but it presents a particular challenge for children with schizophrenia.

Main treatment options
The main options for treatment of childhood schizophrenia are:

• Medications
• Individual or family therapy
• Social and academic skills training
• Hospitalization

Medications for childhood schizophrenia
Anti-psychotic medications are the base of treatment for schizophrenia in children.  Most of the medications used for children are same as those that are used to treat adults with schizophrenia.  Though these drugs have not been approved specifically for use in children, they can be used off-label, meaning they can be used to treat a condition or age group not specifically listed on its prescribing label as an approved use. 

Second-generation anti-psychotics (atypical anti-psychotics)
A class of anti-psychotic drugs called atypical anti-psychotic medications are usually tried first in children as they have fewer side-effects.  FDA has approved only two second-generation anti-psychotics to treat childhood schizophrenia in children aged between 13 and 17:

• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Aripiprazole (Abilify)

Atypical anti-psychotic medications are usually effective at managing such symptoms as hallucinations, delusions, loss of motivation and lack of emotion.

First-generation anti-psychotics (conventional or typical anti-psychotics)
This type of anti-psychotic medications is generally equally as effective as second-generation anti-psychotics in controlling delusions and hallucinations, but these medications can have more serious neurological side effects, including increased possibility of tardive dyskinesia, or involuntary movements of the face, tongue, limbs and hands. 

Psychotherapy for childhood schizophrenia
While the medications are a cornerstone of childhood schizophrenia treatment, psychotherapy is an important part of the treatment.  Psychotherapy can include:

Individual therapy - can help the child learn ways to cope with the distress and daily life challenges brought on by schizophrenia.  Individual therapy can also help reduce the severity of symptoms and improve communicational skills, relationships and school performance.  By learning about childhood schizophrenia, the child may understand it better, cope with lingering symptoms and understand the importance of following the treatment plan.

Family therapy - both the child and it's family can benefit from therapy which provides education and support to families.  Family members can help the child in the ongoing recovery efforts.  The therapy can also help the family better communicate with each other and understand the family conflicts, and could help the family members cope and reduce distress about the child's condition.

Social and academic skills training for childhood schizophrenia
An important part of treatment for childhood schizophrenia is training in social and academic skills.  Children with childhood schizophrenia often have troubled relationships and problems with school.  They could have difficulty carrying out normal daily tasks.  The treatment plans which address these issues can help the child develop the skills to live and function at age-appropriate levels when possible.

Hospitalization for childhood schizophrenia
During crisis periods or times of severe symptoms, hospitalization could be necessary.  Hospitalization can help ensure the child's safety and that of others, and make sure that the child is getting proper nutrition, sleep and hygiene.  Getting the symptoms under control quickly is very important in childhood schizophrenia, and in some cases hospital setting is the safest and best way to do it.