Childhood Schizophrenia

Your child must have symptoms for more than six months for a healthcare provider to diagnose childhood schizophrenia. Schizophrenia in children is difficult to diagnose. Many healthy children have hallucinations or delusions. For example, a young child may talk to an imaginary friend, which is normal and healthy. Additionally, a variety of conditions can lead to symptoms of psychosis, including medical and psychiatric illnesses. Your child’s healthcare providers will want to rule out these conditions.

Medical conditions

Changes in blood flow to your child’s brain.
Encephalopathy.
Endocrine disorders.
Infection.
Metabolic disorders.
Not getting enough of certain vitamins.
Rheumatic and autoimmune diseases like lupus.
Reye’s syndrome.
Substance use.
Temporal lobe epilepsy.
Wilson’s disease.

Developmental and psychiatric conditions

Autism spectrum disorder.
Depression.
Bipolar disorder.
Eating disorders.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Schizoaffective disorder.
Schizophreniform disorder.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.