The 'At-Risk Mental State' for psychosis in adolescents: Clinical presentation, transition and remission

Welsh, P.; Tiffin, P.A.

Abstract

Despite increased efforts over the last decade to prospectively identify individuals at ultra-high risk of developing a psychotic illness, limited attention has been specifically directed towards adolescent populations (<18 years). In order to evaluate how those under 18 fulfilling the operationalised criteria for an At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) present and fare over time, we conducted an observational study. Participants (N = 30) generally reported a high degree of functional disability and frequent and distressing perceptual disturbance, mainly in the form of auditory hallucinations. Seventy percent (21/30) were found to fulfil the criteria for a co-morbid ICD-10 listed mental health disorder, with mood (affective; 13/30) disorders being most prevalent. Overall transition rates to psychosis were low at 24 months follow-up (2/28; 7.1 %) whilst many participants demonstrated a significant reduction in psychotic-like symptoms. The generalisation of these findings may be limited due to the small sample size and require replication in a larger sample.

Citation

Welsh, P., & Tiffin, P. (2014). The 'At-Risk Mental State' for psychosis in adolescents: Clinical presentation, transition and remission. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 45(1), 90-98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-013-0380-z

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Apr 3, 2013
• Publicly Available Date: May 14, 2013
• Journal: Child Psychiatry and Human Development
• Print ISSN: 0009-398X
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-3327
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 90-98
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-013-0380-z
• Keywords: Psychosis, Risk, Youth, Prodrome.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1461160