Adolescents Are Like Adults (Sort of): Psychosocial Interventions for Adolescents With or Vulnerable to Schizophrenia

Abstract

In 2012, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) released an updated Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Schizophrenia. 1 McClellan J, Stock S, Walter HJ et al. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with schizophrenia. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Published 2012. http://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/practice_parameters/Schizophrenia_Web.pdf. Accessed April 18, 2014. Google Scholar The recommendations included a clinical guideline that “psychotherapeutic interventions should be provided in combination with medication therapies.” The recommendation was issued as a clinical guideline rather than as a clinical standard because there have been only a few small studies suggesting benefit in this age population. Much of the argument supporting their use is based on the assumption that the strong evidence supporting psychosocial interventions in adults is likely to be applicable to younger populations. Family-Focused Treatment for Adolescents and Young Adults at High Risk for Psychosis: Results of a Randomized TrialJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent PsychiatryVol. 53Issue 8PreviewLongitudinal studies have begun to clarify the phenotypic characteristics of adolescents and young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis. This 8-site randomized trial examined whether a 6-month program of family psychoeducation was effective in reducing the severity of attenuated positive and negative psychotic symptoms and enhancing functioning among individuals at high risk. Full-Text PDF Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Adolescents With Early-Onset Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled TrialJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent PsychiatryVol. 53Issue 8PreviewCognitive impairment is an enduring and functionally relevant feature of early-onset schizophrenia (EOS). Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) improves cognition and functional outcome in adults with schizophrenia, although data in adolescents with EOS remain scarce. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of CRT in improving cognition and functional outcomes in a sample of symptomatically stable but cognitively disabled adolescents with EOS. Full-Text PDF