Schizophrenia - Natural Course
Prodrome: kids who later go on to develop schizophrenia often have some "soft signs" of schizophrenia:
- clumsy;
- somewhat socially inept;
- a bit odd or unusual;
- soft neurological signs.
- but most children who are somewhat odd when growing up do NOT develop schizophrenia.
Onset:
- first break is often in late teens or early 20's (college age years);
- paranoid schizophrenia can develop somewhat later (30s or 40s).
Course:
- chronic, lifelong illness requiring lifelong treatment;
- between episodes, the patient may suffer negative symptoms:
- anhedonia;
- flat affect;
- low energy;
- social isolation/ withdrawal.