Defining Treatment as Usual for Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome: A Survey of Community Practitioners
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Citation of Original Publication
Jacobs, Elizabeth; Kline, Emily; Schiffman, Jason; Defining Treatment as Usual for Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome: A Survey of Community Practitioners; Psychiatric Services 63,12 (2012); https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.201200045?
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©American Psychological Association, 2012. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. Please do not copy or cite without author's permission. The final article is available, upon publication, at: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201200045.
©American Psychological Association, 2012. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. Please do not copy or cite without author's permission. The final article is available, upon publication, at: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201200045.
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Abstract
Objective
Schizophrenia and related disorders are often preceded by attenuated psychosis symptoms, sometimes referred to as attenuated psychosis syndrome, but little is known about practitioners’ current practices with regard to this population. This survey of clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and general practitioners explored treatment as usual of attenuated psychosis syndrome.
Methods
In 2008, a total of 1,500 practitioners were mailed surveys containing vignettes describing individuals with full, attenuated, and no psychotic symptoms and a checklist of possible interventions. Practitioners were asked to select interventions that would help or harm the individual.
Results
The responses (N=293, 20%) suggested that practitioners treated attenuated psychosis syndrome similarly to full-threshold psychosis. The use of antipsychotic medications to treat attenuated symptoms was endorsed by 69% of practitioners. Family support groups and family involvement were endorsed by 58% and 49% of respondents, respectively.
Conclusions
Further development and dissemination of practice guidelines may help providers treat attenuated psychosis syndrome.