Adolescent-onset psychosis: prevalence, needs and service provision.
BACKGROUND
Little is known of the epidemiology and care needs of people with adolescent-onset psychosis.


OBJECTIVE
To examine prevalence and the cross-sectional disability, needs and service provision for adolescent-onset psychosis in areas of central Scotland with a total population of 1.75 million.


METHODS
We identified and contacted 103 young people using an opt-out research design. Fifty-three participants and their carers and keyworkers were interviewed using a modified version of the Cardinal Needs Schedule.


RESULTS
The 3-year prevalence was 5.9 per 100,000 general population. Twenty-one (20%) adolescents were not in contact with mental health services; 80% of first admissions were to adult acute psychiatric wards. Those interviewed had high levels of morbidity: 29 (55%) had serious to pervasive impairment of functioning; there were relatively high levels of side-effects, negative symptoms, anxiety, occupational, friendship and family difficulties. Care provision was better for'clinical'than for'social'domains; 20% had five or more unmet needs; 17% had at least one intractable problem.


CONCLUSIONS
This low-prevalence disorder requires an assertive multi-agency approach in the context of a national planning framework.
Boeing
Leonie
L
Young People's Unit, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Tipperlinn Road, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK. leonie.boeing@lpct.scot.nhs.uk
Murray
Val
V
Pelosi
Anthony
A
McCabe
Robert
R
Blackwood
Douglas
D
Wrate
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors