Schizophrenia-Like Psychoses in Young Children

Abstract

The immature psyche of the child is at least as easily upset by both organic and psychological factors as is that of the adult. The slightest fever or digestive upset may, in a child, lead to bad temper, lack of appetite and sleeplessness. In spite, however, of the ease with which minor psychological disorders are brought about, the severe mental disturbances constituting the psychoses are very infrequently met with. Those to be described occur in the early years of life. Some of them resemble serious behaviour and personality disorders; some would seem to be of organic ætiology. Common to all are regressive changes leading especially to loss of recent attainments, and to some disorganization of the personality following a hitherto normal development.