SUBTLE SIGNS MAY INDICATE EARLY ONSET

UMI (name changed) was in high school when her parents noticed a marked shift in her behavior towards them and her peers. She often got into fights with her parents, lacked personal hygiene, and kept postponing daily routines.

- Affan Abdul Kadar @ Chennai

Her academic performance too was on the decline. She started avoiding friends, and became a social recluse. She also started muttering to herself and shrugged it off when asked about it. "When her mother noticed that the girl did not focus while studying, she took her for counseling. During evaluation, it was found that she had schizophrenia as she had severe auditory hallucinations, and was referred to a psychiatrist," said Dr Jamila K Warrier, Coordinator & Consultant Psychologist at KIMSHEALTH, Thiruvanthapuram. A year later, after receiving treatment, Sumi is doing fine.