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.