yung-realityofatrisk-2021.pdf (316.23 kB)
The reality of at risk mental state services: a response to recent criticisms
journal contribution
posted on 2021-01-01, 00:00 authored by Alison YungAlison Yung, S J Wood, A Malla, B Nelson, P McGorry, J ShahBackground
In the 1990s criteria were developed to detect individuals at high and imminent risk of developing a psychotic disorder. These are known as the at risk mental state, ultra high risk or clinical high risk criteria. Individuals meeting these criteria are symptomatic and help-seeking. Services for such individuals are now found worldwide. Recently Psychological Medicine published two articles that criticise these services and suggest that they should be dismantled or restructured. One paper also provides recommendations on how ARMS services should be operate.
Methods
In this paper we draw on the existing literature in the field and present the perspective of some ARMS clinicians and researchers.
Results
Many of the critics' arguments are refuted. Most of the recommendations included in the Moritz et al. paper are already occurring.
Conclusions
ARMS services provide management of current problems, treatment to reduce risk of onset of psychotic disorder and monitoring of mental state, including attenuated psychotic symptoms. These symptoms are associated with a range of poor outcomes. It is important to assess them and track their trajectory over time. A new approach to detection of ARMS individuals can be considered that harnesses broad youth mental health services, such as headspace in Australia, Jigsaw in Ireland and ACCESS Open Minds in Canada. Attention should also be paid to the physical health of ARMS individuals. Far from needing to be dismantled we feel that the ARMS approach has much to offer to improve the health of young people.
In the 1990s criteria were developed to detect individuals at high and imminent risk of developing a psychotic disorder. These are known as the at risk mental state, ultra high risk or clinical high risk criteria. Individuals meeting these criteria are symptomatic and help-seeking. Services for such individuals are now found worldwide. Recently Psychological Medicine published two articles that criticise these services and suggest that they should be dismantled or restructured. One paper also provides recommendations on how ARMS services should be operate.
Methods
In this paper we draw on the existing literature in the field and present the perspective of some ARMS clinicians and researchers.
Results
Many of the critics' arguments are refuted. Most of the recommendations included in the Moritz et al. paper are already occurring.
Conclusions
ARMS services provide management of current problems, treatment to reduce risk of onset of psychotic disorder and monitoring of mental state, including attenuated psychotic symptoms. These symptoms are associated with a range of poor outcomes. It is important to assess them and track their trajectory over time. A new approach to detection of ARMS individuals can be considered that harnesses broad youth mental health services, such as headspace in Australia, Jigsaw in Ireland and ACCESS Open Minds in Canada. Attention should also be paid to the physical health of ARMS individuals. Far from needing to be dismantled we feel that the ARMS approach has much to offer to improve the health of young people.
History
Journal
Psychological medicineVolume
51Issue
2Pagination
212 - 218Publisher
Cambridge University PressLocation
Cambridge, Eng.Publisher DOI
Link to full text
ISSN
0033-2917eISSN
1469-8978Language
EnglishPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
At risk mental stateclinical high riskLife Sciences & BiomedicineprodromalPsychiatryPsychologyPsychology, ClinicalpsychosisschizophreniaScience & TechnologySocial Sciencesultra high riskULTRA-HIGH RISKCLINICAL HIGH-RISKUNTREATED PSYCHOSIS DUPYOUNG-PEOPLEINTERVENTION EVALUATIONEPISODE PSYCHOSISCOGNITIVE THERAPYHEALTH-SERVICES1ST EPISODE
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