Hallucinations in children and adolescents

Abstract

Clinicians need to consider a wide range of differential diagnoses when children and adolescents present with hallucinations. This includes considering whether it is a developmentally normal phenomenon or if there is a psychiatric, medical, or neurologic diagnosis. Nonpsychotic children with hallucinations can be differentiated from psychotic children. Nonpsychotic children who are at risk (or prodromal) for future psychosis can be differentiated from nonprodromal healthier children. We examine the epidemiology, prognosis, and neurobiological research. Lastly, we discuss treatment approaches, including medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Trajectories of Social Withdrawal and Cognitive Decline in the Schizophrenia Prodrome

“…With this assessment tool, the clinician maps out the trajectory of symptoms for each year from birth to time of assessment. Since it is not uncommon for children and adolescents to experience mild psychotic-like symptoms (27-29), psychosis onset was defined as the presence of positive psychotic symptoms (i.e., command hallucinations, voices that converse or make degrading comments, or delusions) that had a moderate to severe impact on daily function. Social withdrawal was defined simply as a noticeable withdrawal from typical social behaviors for that individual, and onset of social withdrawal was defined as the time at which these symptoms began to cause functional impairment.…”

Stratégies diagnostiques et thérapeutiques face aux hallucinations de l’enfant et de l’adolescent

“…Les hallucinations peuvent en effet être trouvées en l'absence de toute maladie somatique ou psychiatrique chez le sujet jeune et constituer un phénomène développemental transitoire et bénin, lié à une immaturité psychique [2,3,4]. C'est pourquoi la survenue d'épisodes hallucinatoires chez un enfant nécessite tout d'abord de se référer à son développement global et à son contexte sociofamilial.…”

“Crying Alone With My Child:” Parenting a School Age Child Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder

“…Epidemiological data estimates the prevalence of Bipolar Disorder at approximately, 1% of preschoolers, 2% of elementary and middle school children, and 5-8% of adolescents (Pavaluri, Birmaher, & Naylor, 2005). In addition, evidence is increasing that classic mania, exhibited as very little sleep, euphoric irritable mood, grandiosity, risk taking behavior, hallucinations, periods of long lasting rage, and suicidal and homicidal thoughts, occurs as young as the preschool years (Dilsaver & Akiskal, 2004;Sosland & Edelson, 2005). Families and children are undoubtedly faced with complex and challenging issues and the consequences of untreated childhood psychiatric health problems augur serious societal ramifications.…”