Adolescent Psychotic-Like Experiences May Be Tied to Depression and Self-Destructive Behaviour: Study Finds
According to a study recently conducted at the University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital, psychotic-like experiences are abundant among adolescents referred to care, but are generally considered fairly neutral, with only some of the adolescents reporting them as frightening, worrisome, or harmful.
In the study, the correlation between psychotic-like experiences and depressive symptoms turned out to be strong.
This link was not explained by connections between individual psychotic-like experiences and depressive symptoms, but by factors that more broadly measure paranoia and unusual thoughts.
In addition to depressive symptoms, paranoid thoughts, and unusual thought content were also associated with self-destructive thinking.
The findings show that psychotic-like experiences should be systematically surveyed in all adolescents seeking psychiatric care.
It should also be assessed how frightening, worrisome, or harmful they are considered to be. Particularly in the case of responses emphasizing bizarre thinking and exaggerated suspiciousness, attention should also be paid to assessing mood and self-destructive thinking, as these factors can remain hidden without further inquiry.
"Our findings provide a clear recommendation for treatment practices: psychotic-like experiences should be assessed as part of routine procedures, but it is also important to determine how they are perceived. These phenomena cannot be uncovered unless separately and systematically asked," says the principal investigator, Docent Niklas Granö.
It should be clearly explained to adolescents and their families that these symptoms are common and often manageable.
In addition, applications of cognitive psychotherapy, even brief interventions, can help adolescents understand their symptoms and alleviate the strain they cause.
References: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/news/mental-health/psychotic-experiences-adolescents-linked-depression-and-self-destructive-behaviour
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