Early Identification and Intervention of Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome in Asian American Populations
Poster C52, Wednesday, October%2010, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom
Huijun Li1, MIchelle Friedman-Yakoobia2; 1Florida A & M University, 2Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
BACKGROUND: Subtle pre-illness clinical, psychosocial, neurocognitive deficits, and brain structural alternations have been reported in the attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS). Thus, the detection and intervention of the APS preceding the onset of florid psychosis creates a window of opportunity of prevention of psychotic disorder. This has the potential to prevent suffering for individuals and families, as well as losses in social and educational/ role functioning. An important challenge for treatment of APS is balancing the potential benefits of early identification and treatment with the risks of false positives and labeling individuals who may not be developing psychosis. This challenge can be particularly complex when working with populations such as Asian American families, who bear a highly stigmatized concept of mental illness. METHODS: A thorough literature review is conducted to identify themes on APS among Asian American populations. RESULTS: The presentation consists of the following components/themes: 1) Introducing demographic information of Asian Americans in the United States, as the fastest growing immigrant population in the country, their educational achievement, economic status, and challenges; 2) Discussing common Asian American cultural beliefs of the etiology of mental illnesses and psychotic spectrum disorders (APS in particular) and barriers to clinical services;3) Presenting the APS in the Asian American context, common help-seeking behaviors and motivating factors to services; and 4) Using culturally sensitive approaches to assessing and providing intervention to Asian Americans with APS. CONCLUSION: Researchers and clinicians should be aware of the implications and guidelines of working with Asian Americans with Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome.
Topic Area: Psychosocial Interventions