Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders affect an estimated 1% to 2% of the population, with the incidence peaking at around the age of 20 (*). These conditions give rise to 

• “Positive” symptoms in the sense of being an excess of normal experience: hallucinations (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, etc.) and/or delusions (feeling of persecution, belief that they are receiving messages via the radio or TV, etc.) ;
• “Negative symptoms”: emotional blunting, loss of energy, loss of pleasure etc.
• Cognitive symptoms: confused thinking, attention deficit, etc. 

A psychotic episode refers to a period during which the symptoms are blatantly apparent. The individual then loses contact with reality  and their ability to function is impaired.  

(*) Given the specific development of a child’s brain, it is extremely rare to diagnose a psychotic disorder before puberty. In child psychiatry one no longer speaks of “infantile psychosis.” 

Experiencing a psychotic episode does not necessarily indicate a psychotic disorder. Other pathologies (epilepsy, encephalitis, brain tumour, etc.) can cause similar symptoms. Above all, do not wait to arrange a consultation!   

• If you or your child (adolescent or young adult) show symptoms that are causing you concern then request an initial opinion from your GP, a first linepsychologist or at the school’s PMS centre. 
• If the symptoms are already having a a strong functional impact on day-to-day life, contact a (child)psychiatristdirectly. You can make an appointment at the Huderf Department of Child Psychiatry or the Erasmus Hospital Department of Psychiatry. We will see you as soon as possible to carry out as quickly as possible all the examinations and evaluations necessary for a sound diagnosis as a basis to begin the appropriate treatment when necessary. 
• The Zelig Centre is an outpatient centre (without hospitalisation) specialised in assessment and diagnosis for adolescents and young adults showing clear or attenuated psychotic symptoms.  It is located at the Erasmus Medical Center (EMC), in Anderlecht.
• The treatmentis personalised and can combine treatment with drugs, individual and/or family psychological follow-up, group activities, psychoeducation, adapted  schooling, etc. 
•  Hospitalisation at the Erasmus Hospital Adolescents and Young Adults Unit is sometimes necessary, for assessment purposes in particular. This is not systematic and is always on a voluntary basis.    

The Child Psychiatry Emergency Department at the Huderf cares for young people with acute symptoms. 

Young people who start to experience psychotic symptoms are often reluctant to speak about it. They are ashamed, fear they are going “mad” and/or that they risk being interned against their will. So they keep quiet and hope their symptoms will just disappear. Unfortunately this is not the case. On the contrary, without treatment the symptoms will worsen!  What is more, in cases of proven schizophrenia  the more quickly a patient receives appropriate treatment the greater the chances of stabilising the situation, keeping the illness under control and maintaining a satisfactory quality of life. 

As a parent, one way of getting your child to talk is to ask whether they have experiences that are disturbing or frightening. If so, suggest consulting a first line doctor or psychologist for an opinion.