Childhood Schizophrenia

As noted in the textbook, about 200,000 new cases of schizophrenia are diagnosed in the United States each year. Although the onset of schizophrenia generally occurs during young adulthood, it can appear in childhood. Childhood schizophrenia is relatively rare, with rates ranging from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 40,000 diagnosed each year. According to the Mayo Clinic (2014), when schizophrenia begins early in life, symptoms may come on gradually. With time, the symptoms often become more severe and more noticeable. For example, children may experience hallucinations, delusions, and difficulty organizing their thoughts. They may also demonstrate “breaks from reality,” which often require hospitalization and medical treatment.

One particularly famous case of childhood schizophrenia is Jani Schofield, who is perhaps the youngest child ever to be treated for the disorder (Caba, 2014). As Jani has grown up, her younger brother, Bodhi, has now started showing signs of schizophrenia. You can watch the story of Jani and Bohdi Schofield on YouTube. Please note that the full episode: “Born Schizophrenic: Jani & Bohdi’s Journey” requires a payment to view. However, you can watch the full documentary for free as Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, etc. After you view Part 1, for example, you can click Part 2 on the right-hand side of the screen. As you watch the documentary, answer the following questions:

Question 1

What type of schizophrenia has Jani been diagnosed with?

Question 2

What symptoms does Jani demonstrate? How do these symptoms compare with the symptoms described in your textbook?

Question 3

How has Jani’s schizophrenia affected her family?

Question 4

Jani experiences what types of hallucinations and delusions?

Question 5

What was Bohdi’s original diagnosis? Do you think that growing up with Jani may have contributed to some of his symptoms? Why or why not?

Question 6

What treatments have Jani and Bohdi undergone? Have they been successful? Explain.

Question 7

The story of Jani and Bohdi seems to support the idea that ____ factors play a significant role in many cases of schizophrenia.

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B.
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D.

Question 8

Although this does not apply to the cases of Jani and Bohdi, studies show that older paternal age is a risk factor for schizophrenia. According to your textbook, men in the 50-plus age range are ___ times more likely to produce offspring with schizophrenia.

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B.
C.
D.
Although this does not apply to the cases of Jani and Bohdi, studies show that older paternal age is a risk factor for schizophrenia. According to your textbook, men in the 50-plus age range are ___ times more likely to produce offspring with schizophrenia.

Question 9

____ are a prime example of a symptom of schizophrenia that is often rooted in culture.

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B.
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D.

Question 10

Using research presented in your textbook, distinguish between positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning and include delusions, hallucinations, and disturbances in sensation, thinking, and speech. Negative symptoms, in contrast, refer to marked deficits or decreases in behavioral or emotional functioning. For example, a flat affect, alogia (greatly reduced production of speech), and avolition (the inability to initiate or persist in even simple forms of goal-directed behavior) can also be present with schizophrenia.
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