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

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10