James McCarthy
Pace University,USA
Title: Multidimensional views of childhood psychosis and multimodal treatment
Biography
Biography: James McCarthy
Abstract
Etiological studies, investigations of high risk populations and outcome studies have all contributed to a better understanding of the clinical features and the course of early onset mood disorder-related psychosis, schizophrenia and trauma related psychosis in children and youth. However, recent neurobiological studies and revolutionary advances in knowledge about brain structure and functioning haven’t been easily translated into innovative treatment approaches for children and adolescents with severe and chronic psychotic disorders. Psychosis in youth entails shifting internal emotional states of lived experience as well as the features of psychiatric disorders which frequently interfere with social, emotional and cognitive maturation. Although psychotic disorders in children and adolescents are often continuous with adult-onset psychotic disorders, comprehensive, multimodal treatment that includes psychotherapy and supportive family interventions as well as antipsychotic medication offer the best hope of restoring the psychotic youth to age-appropriate maturation in all spheres of functioning. This article synthesizes recent research advances while arguing for the need for long-term comprehensive care and treatment for children and adolescents with psychotic disorders that includes the importance of psychotherapy.
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