These early problems may first be noticed by the child's school teachers. Diagnosis and Treatment Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric illness. A doctor bases the diagnosis on the symptoms. No diagnostic tests are available, but children with the problems and symptoms listed above must have a complete evaluation, which includes searches for evidence of drug abuse, exposure to toxic substances, and brain injury. Usually schizophrenic children need individual treatment plans involving other professionals.
Psychiatric medication can be helpful for many of the symptoms and problems identified.
These medications require careful monitoring by a child and adolescent psychiatrist, as children are very susceptible to the side-effects of antipsychotic medication.