This study investigates the self-reported impact of children's psychiatric disorders on their siblings and assesses what forms of support such children most value. We used a qualitative research design with open interviews to stimulate children between 8 and 15 years old to talk about their experiences living with a brother or sister with a psychiatric disorder. Their stories were analysed within a hermeneutic phenomenological framework in order to identify narrative themes and interpret the meaning of shared experiences.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlexander disease is a rare genetic disorder, usually characterized by leukodystrophy, causing progressive degeneration of white matter in the central nervous system. We describe a case of a 7-year-old girl with long term medically unexplained symptoms and suspicion of a psychiatric disorder, who was diagnosed with Alexander disease. Building on this case, a literature search was conducted for psychiatric symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn important focus of studies of individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis has been to identify biomarkers to predict which individuals will transition to psychosis. However, the majority of individuals will prove to be resilient and go on to experience remission of their symptoms and function well. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using structural MRI measures collected in UHR adolescents at baseline to quantitatively predict their long-term clinical outcome and level of functioning.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The main focus of studies of individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR) has been on identifying brain changes in those individuals who will develop psychosis. However, longitudinal studies have shown that up to half of UHR individuals are resilient, with symptomatic remission and good functioning at follow-up. Yet little is known about brain development in resilient individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Although transition rates in 'ultra-high risk' (UHR) for psychosis samples are declining, many young individuals at UHR still experience attenuated positive symptoms and impaired functioning at follow-up. The present study examined the association between a history of childhood trauma and transition to psychosis, and symptomatic and functional outcome, in UHR patients.
Method: Data on childhood trauma were available for 125 UHR individuals.