Schizophrenia or something else.....

[melpetri]

My 9 yr old son was a healthy, happy child until around 4 yrs old. He then became sick with what we later learned to be seizure activity. Along with this medical issue, he started to become defiant and aggressive. He attends a school for severe emotionally impaired children. He is currently on Depakote for his epilepsy and was on Risperdal, until he had to be weaned off due to even more aggressive behavior. At home, he acts fine, occasionally defiant, but nothing really bad. At school, he gets sent home frequently and now they are saying he is having paranoid behavior. He thinks people are out to get him, talking bad about him, don't like him, etc. His school has made an appointment with the school psychiatrist, but is talking about possible hospitalization. We have been to 8 doctors over these years, most recently a holistic doctor that doesn't think anything is wrong with him. Any ideas? Does it sound like Schizophrenia or some other disorder? Thank you so much in advance for any help.

[SeriousSam]

Make an appointment with a psychologist on your own most of the ones affiliated with schools are hacks.  Also check and see if his medicines could be reacting negatively with each other.

[girlybuff]

You can have a pre-disposition for schizophrenia but cannot actually "have" it until your mid-late 20's.
Have your child evaluated the sooner the better.  

[girlybuff]

By the way, schizophrenia is only suspected when a person hears voices.  Your son does not exhibit any of that behavior.  I have a degree in psychology and although I am not giving you any medical advice here it could be some sort of bi-polar disorder or he could be seeking attention.  
Have him checked out by a licensed child psychiatrist.    

[o0theresa0o]

Of course the child is going to have paranoia.  His paranoia is probably well justified.  Think about it.  He is getting into trouble a lot, probably making scenes etc. etc.  What do people do?  Talk!  Kids are whispering about why he is acting out, and teachers are angry that he is so disruptive, so are more likely to punish him for smaller things that may have been let go with a different child.

I don't think this is a matter of paranoia at all.  If he is not paranoid at home, or when you are out and about, and this is ONLY at school, it sounds normal to me.  I would probably start worrying about kids hating me too if they were treating me poorly because I was acting out.

People are quick to jump to conclusions.  I would really reevaluate his behaviour before you assume the worst.