Psychosocial Experience of Children's Parents with Early Onset Schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a rare severe mental health disorder amongst children. The worldwide prevalence of childhood onset schizophrenia (COS) is still unknown. This study aims to describe parents’ experience face to the diagnosis of COS. Family history of psychiatric disorders was found in 17% of the cases. According to our clinical evaluation, there was a delay in diagnosis in more than 60% of the cases. Almost 80% of our respondents were in emotional shock after receiving the diagnosis of their child, meaning an important emotional impact. 69% of the respondents recognized Schizophrenia as a mental disorder, and 60% of them considered its gravity as mild. However, more than 75% weren’t aware of the existence of early onset Schizophrenia. Guidelines for announcement device in mental disorders identify 5 components of the process of the announcement, making it systematized. Family burden and impact is found in the literature. Making it a part of global care of patients with schizophrenia, independently of their age. More studies should be conducted in our context to explore knowledge of general population concerning mental disorder and psychological difficulties among Moroccan pediatric population.