Cognition, Social Cognition, and Functional Capacity in Early-Onset Schizophrenia

Cognitive impairments are a central feature of schizophrenia. These impairments are present across the course of the illness, from prodromal to more chronic patients. Social cognitive deficits, now known to be related to social outcomes in the real world, are also impaired in cases with early-onset psychosis. Similarly, disability in everyday functions is present and is correlated with impairments in performance on measures of the ability to perform everyday functional and social skills. This constellation of impairments leads to wide-ranging social and functional deficits. Treatments offered for adult-onset cases should be offered to early-onset cases as well.