Attenuated Psychotic Symptoms: A Review of the Literature
The purpose of this article is to review the literature on attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS). This review will discuss the definition, prevalence, assessment, and treatment of APS. Additionally, this article will provide an overview of the current research on the topic as well as future directions and implications.
Definition and Prevalence
Attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS) are psychotic experiences that are relatively mild in severity and are not associated with significant functional impairment (Fusar-Poli, Stahl, & Borgwardt, 2016). APS is commonly seen in college students, with a prevalence rate of approximately 4.7% (Fusar-Poli et al., 2016). It is also associated with an increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder in the future (Fusar-Poli et al., 2016).
Assessment
The most common method of assessing APS is through self-report questionnaires and interviews. Common questionnaires that are used for this purpose include the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS) and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) (Fusar-Poli et al., 2016). Additionally, interviews such as the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID) can be used to assess for APS (Fusar-Poli et al., 2016).
Treatment
The treatment of APS is typically focused on reducing the risk of developing a psychotic disorder in the future (Fusar-Poli et al., 2016). Treatment methods include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family interventions, and psychopharmacology (Fusar-Poli et al., 2016). Additionally, cognitive-enhancing medication such as antipsychotics may be used to reduce the risk of developing a psychotic disorder (Fusar-Poli et al., 2016).
Research and Future Directions
Current research on APS is limited, and there is a need for more research in order to better understand the causes and treatment of APS. Additionally, further research is needed to identify effective ways of preventing the development of psychotic disorders in individuals with APS.
Implications
APS is a relatively common phenomenon, and it is associated with an increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder in the future. Thus, it is important for clinicians to be aware of the signs and symptoms of APS and to employ effective treatment methods to reduce the risk of developing a psychotic disorder.
Conclusion
This article provided an overview of the literature on attenuated psychotic symptoms. It discussed the definition, prevalence, assessment, and treatment of APS, as well as the current research on the topic and future directions. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the signs and symptoms of APS, as it is associated with an increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder in the future.
References
Fusar-Poli, P., Stahl, D., & Borgwardt, S. (2016). Attenuated psychotic symptoms: A review. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(11), 991-999. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30207-1