Schizophrenia often develops when a person is in their 20s, though it can be slightly different for men and women. When people think about schizophrenia, they often focus on severe symptoms that significantly change how a person thinks and behaves. These can include movement disorders, thought disorders, delusions, hallucinations, hearing voices and similar symptoms.
However, these symptoms often appear once the condition is more advanced. What are some potential early signs that schizophrenia may be developing?
Personality changes
Often, teenagers who are at risk for schizophrenia may show noticeable personality changes, such as increased irritability or mood swings. They may begin avoiding friends they previously spent time with and choose to be alone instead. Sleep problems or disruptions to normal sleep patterns may occur. Parents may notice declining grades at school or difficulty focusing on tasks.
One challenge with these early symptoms is that they are also common in many teenagers who do not develop schizophrenia. Changing friend groups is normal, especially as students move through different grades. Sleep disruptions may occur due to stress. Academic performance may decline as coursework becomes more demanding. Difficulty focusing may be related to other conditions, such as ADHD.
In other words, while it is important to monitor these symptoms, they do not necessarily mean that schizophrenia will develop.
Seeking necessary benefits
In cases where these symptoms do lead to a diagnosis of schizophrenia, it may be possible for the individual and their family to seek appropriate benefits. In those situations, it is important for everyone involved to understand their legal options and the steps that may need to be taken.