Establishment of a clinical service for young people at risk of developing psychosis in Uchinada Japan.
Poster B110, Friday, October 21, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Yasuhiro Kawasaki1, Reiko Hashimoto1, Sachiko Takemoto1, Takamitsu Shimada1, Hiroaki Kihara1, Kazutaka Ohi1, Takashi Uehara1, Yukihisa Matsuda1, Masahiko Tunoda2; 1Kanazawa Medical University, 2Ishikawa Prefectural Mental Health Center
Recent evidences have suggested that indicated prevention of “at risk mental state (ARMS)” is most promising approach to identify people at risk of developing psychosis. The Outpatient clinic for Assessment, Support and Intervention Services (OASIS) in Uchinada Japan for ARMS is a specialized clinical setting to study and treat young people (aged 15-30 years) at risk for developing psychosis. The OASIS service was launched at the Kanazawa Medical University Hospital in cooperation with the Ishikawa Prefectural Mental Health Centre. The specialized clinic provides detailed assessment of clinical symptoms by means of the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS) and other instruments, supplying information about the risk of psychosis, clinical case management, and treatment by cognitive behavior therapy and/or need-based low dose medication regimens. So far we have interviewed 30 clients. Of the 30 subjects, 3 met criteria for first episode of schizophrenia and 7 met criteria for ARMS. None of 7 clients who met ARMS criteria has subsequently developed a first episode of psychosis. A pragmatic approach in which symptom-based indicators are evaluated is rational to provide a clinical service for people with prodromal symptoms. It is convincing that most of the clients, even who had already been psychotic, may have not visited psychiatric hospitals directly at the time point they consulted our service. Therefore it is suggested that the specialized service for help-seeking individuals at risk for developing psychosis can promote clinical activities of early detection and intervention of psychosis.
Topic Area: Psychosocial Interventions