Psychological factors in people at ultra-high risk of psychosis: comparisons with non-patients and associations with symptoms.

Background: There have been recent advances in the ability to identify people at high risk of developing psychosis. This has led to interest in the possibility of preventing the development of psychosis and provides the opportunity to investigate psychological mechanisms that may confer vulnerability to psychosis.

Method: Fifty-eight patients at ultra-high risk of developing a first episode of psychosis were compared with 56 non-patients matched for age and occupational status on measures of meta-cognition, schizotypal traits, dysfunctional attitudes and distress.

Cognitive therapy for the prevention of psychosis in people at ultra-high risk: randomised controlled trial.

Background: Advances in the ability to identify people at high risk of developing psychosis have generated interest in the possibility of preventing psychosis.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of cognitive therapy for the prevention of transition to psychosis.

Method: A randomised controlled trial compared cognitive therapy with treatment as usual in 58 patients at ultra-high risk of developing a first episode of psychosis.