Signs and symptoms may vary, but usually involve delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech, and reflect an impaired ability to function. The effect can be disabling. Schizophrenia symptoms generally start in the mid- to late 20s. It's uncommon for children to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. Early-onset schizophrenia occurs before age 18.
What is the average age of onset for schizophrenia?
The onset of schizophrenia usually occurs between the ages 16 and 30. Broken down by sex, the average age of onset tends to be: There’s a possibility that healthcare professionals may diagnose this condition in children 13 years old and younger. However, the chances of this are much lower.
What is an early onset of schizophrenia?
Early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) refers to schizophrenia that’s diagnosed before the age of 18, with a prevalence of 0.5%. EOS is different from schizophrenia that develops before the age of 13, otherwise known as child-onset schizophrenia (COS).
When does schizophrenia start, and who gets it?
When Does Schizophrenia Start And Who Gets It. Schizophrenia affects men and women equally. It occurs at similar rates in all ethnic groups around the world. Symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions usually start between ages 16 and 30. Men tend to experience symptoms a little earlier than women. Most of the time, people do not get schizophrenia after age 45.
When do signs of schizophrenia begin?
Symptoms can vary in type and severity over time, with periods of worsening and remission of symptoms. Some symptoms may always be present. In men, schizophrenia symptoms typically start in the early to mid-20s. In women, symptoms typically begin in the late 20s.
Overview
Symptoms
- Schizophrenia involves a range of problems with thinking (cognition), behavior and emotions. Signs and symptoms may vary, but usually involve delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech, and reflect an impaired ability to function. Symptoms may include: 1. Delusions.These are false beliefs that are not based in reality. For example, you think ...
Causes
- It's not known what causes schizophrenia, but researchers believe that a combination of genetics, brain chemistry and environment contributes to development of the disorder. Problems with certain naturally occurring brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to schizophrenia. Neuroimaging studies show differences in the brai…
Risk Factors
- Although the precise cause of schizophrenia isn't known, certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering schizophrenia, including: 1. Having a family history of schizophrenia 2. Some pregnancy and birth complications, such as malnutrition or exposure to toxins or viruses that may impact brain development 3. Taking mind-altering (psychoactive or psychotropic) drug…
Complications
- Left untreated, schizophrenia can result in severe problems that affect every area of life. Complications that schizophrenia may cause or be associated with include: 1. Suicide, suicide attempts and thoughts of suicide 2. Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) 3. Depression 4. Abuse of alcohol or other drugs, including nicotine 5. Inability to work or attend …
Prevention
- There's no sure way to prevent schizophrenia, but sticking with the treatment plan can help prevent relapses or worsening of symptoms. In addition, researchers hope that learning more about risk factors for schizophrenia may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.