Subtypes of Psychotic-Like Experiences and Their Significance for Mental Health
InTech eBooks October 17, 2018 DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.78691 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 13 |
| Key findings | Argues that psychotic-like experiences should be assessed and studied as differentiated subtypes rather than a single category, because some PLE in healthy individuals may be linked to weaker other subclinical symptoms, increased well-being, and some resilience. Contends that this differentiated view has implications for psychosis prevention, therapy, early detection, and continuum models, and calls for longitudinal research on how subclinical symptoms interact. |
Abstract
More recently, the interest in studying subclinical psychosis has increased, as it might provide critical information regarding mechanisms that are implicated in the exacerbation of subclinical symptoms and the maintenance of mental health. However, psychosis research has tended to focus on clinical outcomes and not to differentiate between subtypes of psychotic-like experiences (PLE) that might differ regarding their psychopathological significance. Importantly, this might have obscured a more accurate picture of the complex structure of psychosis and the significance of particular risk and protective factors. Notably, while studies point toward a continuity of psychotic experiences and accompanying factors across the general population, there is evidence indicating that some PLE in healthy individuals might also be associated with a weaker expression of other subclinical symptoms, increased well-being and even resilience to some degree. Importantly, such findings might have implications on strategies in psychosis prevention and therapy, early detection, as well as the construction of continuum models of psychosis. The present chapter aims at drawing together findings that necessitate a more differentiated view and assessment of PLE. It intends to provoke new questions that might offer starting points for future investigations, such as longitudinal studies investigating the interplay of subclinical symptoms.