Complications

Left untreated, childhood schizophrenia can result in severe emotional, behavioral and health problems. Complications associated with schizophrenia may occur in childhood or later, such as:

• Suicide, suicide attempts and thoughts of suicide
• Self-injury
• Anxiety disorders, panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Depression
• Abuse of alcohol or other drugs, including nicotine
• Family conflicts
• Inability to live independently, attend school or work
• Social isolation
• Health and medical problems
• Being victimized
• Legal and financial problems, and homelessness
• Aggressive behavior, although uncommon