Behaviour of my son

It happens that the brother of my wife has accute schizophrenia which actually keeps him away from anything that we could consider as a normal life.

We have got two sons, a daughter three years old and a osn fourteen months old.

Lately my son has a difficult behaviour, he injures himself by hitting the floor with his head, and becomes really histeric whenever you try to dress or undress him.

My question is: Are there any signs of danger?, and is there any way to prevent through education or environment the possibility of mental disease?

I

[HFHS MD - RG]

Dear Vela Franc,

You are concerned that your son may be at risk for schizophrenia or other mental illness. First degree biological relatives of individuals with schizophrenia have a risk of schizophrenia 10x higher than the general population. The risk for schizophrenia in the general population is 1% and may be as high as 12% for certain first degree relatives (i.e. children of schizophrenics).Although schizophrenia has been reported at times in children (as young as 5 years old) its onset is usually in adolescence and early adulthood. This would indicate that your son's symptoms are not due to schizophrenia.

Oftentimes, a fourteen-month-old child may assert his newfound "independence" by certain behaviors which adults find offensive and abnormal.

If you feel that your son is not manageable at this point, I advise that you consult with a mental health professional or a pediatrician for an evaluation.


Sincerely,

HFHS MD - RG

*KEYWORD: CHILD