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Understanding Psychotic-like Experiences in Adolescents
Psychotic-like experiences are manifestations that resemble the signs of psychosis, albeit in a milder and more frequent manner than full-blown psychotic disorders. Although these experiences do not qualify as a distinct psychotic disorder, they can still disrupt daily life and cause distress. Common examples of such experiences include perceptual distortions, hallucinations, paranoid thoughts, delusions, and unconventional or bizarre thoughts.
A recent study from researchers in adolescent psychiatry at the University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital reveals that psychotic-like experiences are prevalent among adolescents who are referred for psychiatric care. Notably, these experiences are typically viewed as neutral, with only a subset of adolescents finding them particularly frightening, concerning, or harmful. The research identified a strong correlation between psychotic-like experiences and depressive symptoms among adolescents. This relationship was not attributed solely to specific psychotic-like symptoms or depressive features but rather to overarching factors that capture paranoia and unusual thought patterns. Additionally, the study found that both paranoid thoughts and unusual cognitive content were related to tendencies toward self-destructive thinking.
Integrating Assessment of Psychotic-like Experiences in Psychiatric Care
The results of this study suggest the necessity of including inquiries about psychotic-like experiences in the evaluation process for all adolescents seeking psychiatric help. It is equally important to gauge how distressing, worrying, or harmful these experiences are perceived to be. Special attention should be paid to responses that reflect bizarre thinking and heightened suspiciousness, as these can be indicative of underlying mood issues and self-destructive thoughts that may not be apparent without further investigation.
“Our findings underline a significant recommendation for treatment protocols: psychotic-like experiences must be a part of the standard assessment process, and it is crucial to understand how they are perceived by the adolescents,” states Docent Niklas Granö, the principal investigator of the study. “These symptoms are often overlooked, and without specific and systematic inquiries, they may remain hidden.”
It is essential to communicate to young people and their families that such symptoms are not uncommon and can often be managed effectively. Brief interventions like cognitive psychotherapy can empower adolescents to better understand their experiences and reduce the anxiety associated with them.
The Need for Enhanced Adolescent Mental Health Services
“In Finland, the assessment and support for adolescent mental health have been significantly underfunded. The introduction and expansion of services by the new wellbeing service counties represent a promising opportunity to evolve psychiatric care for young individuals,” notes Granö. “This also includes the assessment and potential short-term management of common symptoms that are frequently overlooked in standard practices.”
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