Data from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation IHME (2021) reveal that this mental disorder appears more frequently in late adolescence or between 20 and 30 years of age. In men it manifests itself earlier than in women.
According to him, there is no definitive test for diagnosing schizophrenia.In fact, to do so the specialist must first rule out a substance use disorder either the existence of a medical, neurological or hormonal disorder that may have characteristics consistent with those of psychosis.
Examples of these disorders are brain tumors, temporal lobe epilepsy, thyroid disorders, liver disorders, side effects of some drugs, and vitamin deficiencies.
The manual also mentions that: “brain imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are performed to rule out a brain tumor. Although people with schizophrenia present brain alterations that can be visualized in computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), such abnormalities are not specific enough to help establish the diagnosis of schizophrenia.”
But; In addition to this, you must wait a while to make the diagnosis. It has been seen that the ages at which this disorder is most frequently diagnosed are between approximately 19 and 30 years of age. Schizophrenia is not usually diagnosed in childhood because it is important to allow the person to evolve a little more to rule out that, suddenly, If some symptoms occur, they are not as a consequence of other childhood situations.. So, that is why it is preferred to wait a little longer towards the end of adolescence to have a much more accurate diagnosis.
It may interest you:
How is schizophrenia treated?
It is important to understand that Schizophrenia is a chronic and degenerative condition, That is, it will accompany the person throughout their life and will get worse as the years go by. This, although I present a not very positive scenario, does not mean that nothing can be done about it. There are different treatments that allow the deterioration of people with schizophrenia to be slightly delayed, such as cognitive stimulation, therapeutic support, psychotherapy and medications.
And, in that sense, it is very important that there is interdisciplinary attention. The ideal is that at least the person is being treated by psychiatry, so that, through medications, hallucinations are avoided, mood improves and peaks of disturbance are reduced. While for part of psychologypsychotherapy is carried out that allows the person to develop strategies that help them and make it easier for them to be as functional as possible in their daily life.