Psychiatry Research
Volume 133, Issue 1 , Pages 35-43, 30 January 2005

Outcome of a first episode of psychosis in adolescence: a 2-year follow-up

  • Alissa Pencer

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    • ,
  • Jean Addington

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    • Department of Psychiatry University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 1R8. Tel.: +1 416 535 8501x4360; fax: +1 416 979 6936.
    • ,
  • Donald Addington

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Received 30 September 2003; received in revised form 31 August 2004; accepted 15 October 2004.

Abstract 

Symptomatic and functional outcome and cognitive functioning were examined in adolescents experiencing their first episode of psychosis. The adolescents (n=69) were assessed and compared with adults (n=69), all presenting for treatment for the first time to a specialized Early Psychosis Program. Assessments were conducted at the initial presentation, and at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. Assessments included positive and negative symptoms, depression, number of relapses, substance use, cognitive functioning, age-appropriate productivity (employment or being in school) and quality of life. Adolescents showed both symptomatic and functional improvement over 2 years of optimal treatment. Positive and negative symptoms predicted outcome at 2 years. Compared with adults, the adolescents had similar clinical and functional outcomes but used more cannabis and had an increased number of relapses. These adolescents are doing relatively well following their first episode and reinforce the need to address cannabis use as an integral part of a comprehensive treatment program.

Keywords: Early psychosis, Schizophrenia, Adolescents, Diagnosis, Outcome

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PII: S0165-1781(04)00254-9

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2004.10.004

Psychiatry Research
Volume 133, Issue 1 , Pages 35-43, 30 January 2005

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