Treatment possibilities for individuals at clinical high risk of psychosis

Abstract

AIM: The purpose of this study was to undertake a first step in trying to understand the types of treatments young people at clinical high risk of psychosis are interested in pursuing. METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 young people who were current participants in the ongoing North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS 2) and who met criteria for being at clinical high risk for psychosis. Participants were administered a questionnaire that asked them to identify the types of mental health problems they were currently getting help with or would like to get help with and the types of treatments they thought would be helpful and may be interested in receiving. RESULTS: Results showed that when individuals first began participation in NAPLS, almost half had no expectations for treatment. They wanted help but they did not really know what kind of help to be asking for. Participants had a wide range of concerns for which they wanted help. Although a majority endorsed attenuated positive symptoms as a concern, many other issues such a family and social problems were often identified. For those who were already receiving help, the general opinion was that it was beneficial. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that this population sees many different interventions as being potentially helpful. Furthermore, they are open to participating in a variety of treatments, including psychotherapeutic and psychiatric interventions as well as more general treatments addressing a range of possible deficits or difficulties.