The prevalence of prodromal features of schizophrenia in adolescence: a preliminary survey

Abstract

In most cases of schizophrenia the onset of frank psychosis is preceded by a period of prodromal features. This period has been relatively neglected by researchers and is potentially important in promoting early intervention. The prevalence of DSM-III-R schizophrenia prodrome symptoms was assessed as part (n = 657) of a large (n = 2525) questionnaire-based survey of high school students. Individual symptoms were highly prevalent and the prevalence of DSM-III-R prodromes ranged from 10 - 15% to 50%. Despite methodological weaknesses, the data suggest that DSM-III-R prodromal features are extremely prevalent among older adolescents and unlikely to be specific for subsequent schizophrenia. Clinically these features cannot be regarded as sufficient evidence of early schizophrenia and more accurate predictors of incipient schizophrenia need to be defined.

Evaluating and treating the prodromal stage of schizophrenia

“…Perceptual abnormalities, ideas of reference, excessive suspiciousness, or other odd beliefs may transiently occur in 5% to 10% of the general population, although these symptoms typically do not impact function [11][12][13].…”

14:15 Persistence of the Extended Psychosis Phenotype in Young People: Link Between Vulnerability and Clinical Need

“…The ultimate goal of such intervention is to delay, attenuate or even prevent transition to psychosis (Keshavan et al, 2011;McGorry et al, 1995). A better understanding of the developmental patterns of subclinical psychotic experiences and the role of risk and protective factors may help to prevent more transient psychotic experiences from becoming persistent.…”

“…Intervention in psychosis has been shown to be both most effective and benign when delivered early (McGorry et al, 1995Mrazek & Haggarty, 1994). The ultimate goal of such intervention is to delay, attenuate or even prevent transition to psychosis (Keshavan et al, 2011;McGorry et al, 1995).…”

“…Subclinical psychotic experiences are frequently reported in both clinical (Altman, Collins, & Mundy, 1997;Yung et al, 2006) and non clinical (Fonseca Pedrero, Lemos Giraldez, Muniz, Garcia Cueto, & Campillo Alvarez, 2008;McGorry et al, 1995;Meng & Schimmelmann, 2009;Spauwen, Krabbendam, Lieb, Wittchen, & Os, 2003;Yung et al, 2009) adolescent populations. In fact, endorsing subclinical psychotic experiences during adolescence may even be considered developmentally quite normal (McGorry et al, 1995).…”

“…In fact, endorsing subclinical psychotic experiences during adolescence may even be considered developmentally quite normal (McGorry et al, 1995).…”