title: The presentation of early-onset psychotic disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to describe the clinical course of psychotic disorders, including the premorbid history, symptoms and level of functioning in a group of children and adolescents treated by paediatric mental health services, mainly as inpatients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 45 children and adolescents with a psychotic disorder (mean age 13.2 years) was assessed using questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, parent interviews and file audit. The symptoms of those with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) were compared to those with a mood disorder (MD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  This population showed a high level of premorbid impairment, including previous treatment for other psychiatric disorders. As well as hallucinations and delusions, high levels of self-harm, aggression, anxiety and depression were reported. The SSD and MD groups differed mainly in their levels of premorbid functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While it is well known that childhood-onset schizophrenia is a severe disorder with a poor outcome, this study found that young people diagnosed with other psychotic disorders also have significant impairment and are likely to require high levels of care to maximize their functional recovery.
authors.affiliation: Walker Unit, Concord Centre for Mental Health, Concord West, Australia. jean.starling@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Starling
authors.forename: Leanne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hainsworth
authors.forename: Anthony W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000374:Aggression; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003702:Delusions / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index