title: Phenomenology and diagnostic stability of youths with atypical psychotic symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to better characterize the phenomenology and diagnostic stability of youths that report atypical psychotic symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 2-year longitudinal follow-up study, youths reporting atypical psychotic symptoms (n = 20) were compared with youths with schizophrenia (n = 27) and youths with bipolar disorder with psychotic features (n = 22) on psychotic, dissociative, and general symptomatology, comorbid diagnoses, previous abuse, and overall functioning. Diagnoses were obtained using structured diagnostic interviews (i.e., the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents).
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the subjects reporting atypical psychotic symptoms went on to develop a classic psychotic illness by the year 2 follow-up. These subjects had significantly higher rates of abuse and dissociative symptoms, and were significantly more likely to receive a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a depressive disorder than youths with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that youths with atypical, fleeting, or situationally specific hallucinations are more likely to have a mood or anxiety disorder (such as PTSD) than a current or prodromal psychotic illness.
authors.affiliation: Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Stefanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hlastala
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McClellan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology