When it comes to adolescent treatment for psychotic like symptoms many parents may not know where to turn or which approach to take. A cooperative study by researchers from the University of Helsinki, the Helsinki University Hospital Department of Psychiatry, and the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland has found that the best approach for these adolescents is home treatment that is network centered instead of hospital based treatment. The researchers determined that this treatment method offered a similar reduction in the psychotic like symptoms experienced to what was seen in hospital based treatment. In addition the teens who were treated at home and school instead of in a hospital had fewer hopeless and depressed feelings and they were better able to function.
HUH Department of Psychiatry researcher Docent Niklas Granö, Ph.D., explained the findings on adolescent treatment for psychotic like symptoms. Dr. Granö stated “The improved ability to function observed in the network-centered early intervention group is crucial, since this is usually a major challenge for people with psychotic-like symptoms. A poor ability to function makes it difficult to cope with everyday tasks and keep up with one’s peers. This is particularly true of those with psychotic-like symptoms or full-blown psychosis.” Granö went on to say “When young people receive real support with things that weigh on them and cause them stress, their mood lightens, their ability to function improves, feelings of hopelessness wane, and their recovery speeds up. The advantage of the early intervention method tested in this study is that its implementation does not require new resources, only reforms to old practices.”
