Schizophrenia in Childhood
- Author:
Charles Bradley, M.D.
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Although Schizophrenia is not a common diagnosis in child guidance clinic statistics it is interesting to notice that the numbers quoted by different authorities differ considerably. This is probably due to the fact that the limits of the condition are by no means clearly defined. The schizoid type of child is by no means uncommon, but the great majority of these never become psychotic. None the less some observers will refer to the more extreme examples of this group as schizophrenic while others reserve this term for those exhibiting a definite and pronounced psychosis.
Dr Bradley, who has had an excellent opportunity for observing abnormal children in the Emma Pendleton Bradley Home for difficult children, recognizes this and seeks a more exact definition of juvenile schizophrenia. He describes it as “a rare but severe distortion of the personality, peculiarly distinguished by a diffuse retrac- tion of interest from the environment In accordance with the restricted development of the child’s mind, and the fact that mental development continues throughout the disease, the appearance of schizophrenia in the child differs from that in the adult. It is specially characterized by extreme exclusiveness, excessive day-dreaming, regression of personal interests, and bizarre inappropriate behaviour. It may take an acute or chronic course, but does not show types of adult schizophrenia-hebiphrenia, catatonia and the paranoid state. We may as well admit we do not know the cause of this disease, that laboratory tests are not informative, and treatment is very little use. For the study of this depressing” disease?depressing because we can do so little either to prevent a certain number of schizoid children drifting into a psychosis, or to cure them when they have got there, this volume is invaluable for it is clear, systematic, and possessed of a valuable bibliography.
Yet we must not be led to assume that every schizoid or seclusive imaginative child is going to become a schizophrenic for this is not the case, and many such, because of, or in spite of, or just along with, out-treat- ment become perfectly successful and valuable adults. R.G.G.
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