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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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01-12-2015 | Original Paper

Duration of unspecific prodromal and clinical high risk states, and early help-seeking in first-admission psychosis patients

Authors: Frauke Schultze-Lutter, Jonas Rahman, Stephan Ruhrmann, Chantal Michel, Benno G. Schimmelmann, Wolfgang Maier, Joachim Klosterkötter

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 12/2015

Abstract

Purpose

Prevention of psychosis requires both presence of clinical high risk (CHR) criteria and early help-seeking. Previous retrospective studies of the duration of untreated illness (i.e. prodrome plus psychosis) did not distinguish between prodromal states with and without CHR symptoms. Therefore, we examined the occurrence of CHR symptoms and first help-seeking, thereby considering effects of age at illness-onset.

Methods

Adult patients first admitted for psychosis (n = 126) were retrospectively assessed for early course of illness and characteristics of first help-seeking.

Results

One-hundred and nine patients reported a prodrome, 58 with CHR symptoms. In patients with an early illness-onset before age 18 (n = 45), duration of both illness and psychosis were elongated, and CHR symptoms more frequent (68.9 vs. 33.3 %) compared to those with adult illness-onset. Only 29 patients reported help-seeking in the prodrome; this was mainly self-initiated, especially in patients with an early illness-onset. After the onset of first psychotic symptoms, help-seeking was mainly initiated by others. State- and age-independently, mental health professionals were the main first point-of-call (54.0 %).

Conclusions

Adult first-admission psychosis patients with an early, insidious onset of symptoms before age 18 were more likely to recall CHR symptoms as part of their prodrome. According to current psychosis-risk criteria, these CHR symptoms, in principle, would have allowed the early detection of psychosis. Furthermore, compared to patients with an adult illness-onset, patients with an early illness-onset were also more likely to seek help on their own account. Thus, future awareness strategies to improve CHR detection might be primarily related to young persons and self-perceived subtle symptoms.

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Title: Duration of unspecific prodromal and clinical high risk states, and early help-seeking in first-admission psychosis patients
Authors: Frauke Schultze-Lutter
Jonas Rahman
Stephan Ruhrmann
Chantal Michel
Benno G. Schimmelmann
Wolfgang Maier
Joachim Klosterkötter
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 12/2015
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-015-1093-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Duration of unspecific prodromal and clinical high risk states, and early help-seeking in first-admission psychosis patients

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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