ABSTRACT
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that usually affects young people in late adolescence or early adulthood. It is a psychotic disorder, which means that it is characterised by major abnormalities of thinking, beliefs and perception, a lack of insight and a loss of contact with reality. Research into schizophrenia in childhood and adolescence is sparse and information is mainly gained from studies of adults. It is difficult to know, therefore, to what extent these findings can be applied to individuals who are still developing mentally and emotionally. A lot of psychotic disorders go unrecognised and untreated for a considerable length of time, with consequent implications for individuals and their families. Schizophrenia is a severely disabling disorder, both mentally and socially, that has a profound effect on daily functioning and, as such, it has long-term implications for social and mental well-being. It is therefore important that it is diagnosed early and that teachers are aware of the signs of the disorder in young people so that they can direct parents to appropriate assessment and treatment services.
