Schizophrenia may have a gradual onset, with symptoms of withdrawal and disordered language evident over time, or it can have a sudden onset in adolescence.
Evidence suggests that schizophrenia is due to an inherited biochemical abnormality in the brain.
Treatment includes medication, such as neuroleptics, to alleviate the painful and intrusive thoughts, and structured programs and education for the youngster and family to improve daily functioning. At age 16, Dwayne was keeping to himself more and more, until one day he emerged from his room with duct tape around his arms and legs, explaining that it was a force field to protect him from the Martian rays streaming into his room at night. At first her parents were puzzled when she earned failing grades her first year in college, but when she came home obsessed with thoughts about being poisoned by the cafeteria staff, they knew something was wrong. Both Dwayne and Jennie have schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is one of the most baffling, troubling, and potentially dangerous of the mental disorders because it seems so unbelievable.