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Introduction: Early identification and follow-up of young people with ultra-high-risk for psychosis (UHR) has become one of the main targets of early intervention programmes. Objectives:We aimed to explore the presence of dissociative symptoms and self-reported trauma exposure in a population of adolescents (<18 years) referred to a UHR Early Intervention Programme. Methods: We studied 77 adolescents (mean age 15.2 year old, 60% males) attending the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Department from Parc Taulí Hospital (Sabadell, Spain) who were referred to the UHR Early Intervention Programme. The Comprehensive Assessment of At Risk Mental States (CAARMS) interview was administered to obtain a UHR diagnosis. Dissociative symptoms were defined by the presence of at least one of the following CAARMS items: depersonalization, derealization and/or perceptual abnormalities. Self-reported exposure to traumatic events was assessed by clinical interview. Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables between diagnostic groups (UHR vs non-UHR). Significance was set at p<0.05 (two-tailed). Results: 27 out of 77 (35%) screened adolescents met UHR criteria. UHR individuals reported more dissociative symptoms than non-UHRsubjects (100%vs 57%, p<0.001). UHR individuals also reported a greater exposure to traumatic events than non-UHR individuals (63% vs 36%, p= 0.03). However, there was a significant prevalence of dissociative symptoms not related to perceived trauma in both groups. Conclusions: Among adolescents who are referred to a UHR programme, those meeting UHR criteria show a greater prevalence of dissociation and exposure to traumatic events. Dissociative symptoms are not necessarily associated with trauma exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Psychosis is a mental condition characterized by the presence of hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorders. It spans diagnostic entities that respond to similar therapeutic approaches. Most patients who develop schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders are at very high risk of relapse in the absence of antipsychotic treatment. Yet, chronic psychosis is an entity that has not been well established until today. Evidence indicates that sustained treatment is associated with fewer relapses than is targeted intermittent treatment; however guidelines do not give definite recommendations about treatment duration. Indefinite maintenance antipsychotic medication is recommended for patients who have had multiple prior episodes or two episodes within five years. Adjunctive medications are commonly prescribed for comorbid conditions. Aims: The authors aim to study the therapeutic approach of patients with chronic psychosis. Methods: Cross-sectional study and clinical records review of a sample of patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia and other chronic psychotic disorders. Results: The sample consists of 154 psychotic patients, 71% males, with mean age of 45,9 years. 43, 5% of patients are under treatment with more than one antipsychotic agent, and 59% are treated with long-lasting antipsychotic medications (LLA). Conclusions: The considerable decrease in hospitalization days, and the need to avoid covert non-compliance justifies the increased number of patients under LLA treatment. This sample presents with a high percentage of patients treated with more than one antipsychotic medication, despite the fact that there is minimal evidence supporting this therapeutic option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]