My son is 9 and his dad has been schizophernic his whole life. His dad has been pretty inconsistant and in and out of his life. Though his dads freak out's and episodes are a very vivid part of my son's memories of his dad. His last freak out happened about a year ago when he was 8. His dad yelled unconrollably at us at the store, said 'f you' and then we left. There was police called and all that when he came back to my house. Very traumatic for my son. His dad was freaking out because he was mad I woudn't be his girlfreind and he thoguht I was tring to make him homeless. His dad didn't call talk to him for a year or even explain what happened. Finially, we were able to get ahold of his gf and arrange a visit, though I don't know if he explained what happened because I wasn't there. But ever since that incident is when I toldhim that his dad has something called schizophernia, and that makes people think things that aren't really true. It's something in his brain that makes it not work as well.
Thereare some good books out there on it, I forget the names but do a google search on schizophernia kids books and you shall find. Good luck.