title: At-risk mental state (ARMS) detection in a community service center for early attention to psychosis in Barcelona.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the strategy and some results in at-risk mental state (ARMS) patient detection as well as some of the ARMS clinical and socio-demographical characteristics. The subjects were selected among the patients visited by an Early Care Equipment for patients at high risk of psychoses, in Barcelona (Spain) during its first year in operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study of the community-team relations, selection criteria and intervention procedure. Description of patient's socio-demographic and symptomatic characteristics according to the different instruments used in detection and diagnoses, taking account of four principal origins of referrals: mental health services, primary care services, education services and social services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty of 55 referred people fulfilled the at-risk mental state criteria, showing an incidence of 2.4 cases per 10,000 inhabitants. They were mainly adolescent males referred from health, education and social services. Overall, negative symptoms were predominant symptoms and the more frequent specific symptoms were decrease of motivation and poor work and school performance, decreased ability to maintain or initiate social relationships, depressed mood and withdrawal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is possible to detect and to provide early treatment to patients with prodromal symptoms if the whole matrix of the community--including the social services--contributes to the process. The utilization of a screening instrument and a two-phase strategy--the second carried out by the specialized team--seems to be an appropriate approach for early psychosis and ARMS detection.
authors: Clinical and Health Psychology Department, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Yanet
authors: Y
authors: Quijada
authors: Jorge L
authors: JL
authors: Tizón
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Artigue
authors: Belén
authors: B
authors: Parra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013030:Spain