Terminology and assessment tools of psychosis: A systematic narrative review. Issue 4 (7th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seiler, Natalie; Nguyen, Tony; Yung, Alison; O'Donoghue, Brian
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences. Volume 74:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 226
• Page End: 246
• Publication Date: 2020-02-07
• Subjects: psychiatry -- psychology -- psychotic disorders -- schizophrenia -- terminology; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12966
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1323-1316

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: Phenomena within the psychosis continuum that varies in frequency/duration/intensity have been increasingly identified. Different terms describe these phenomena, however there is no standardization within the terminology. This review evaluated the definitions and assessment tools of seven terms – (i) 'psychotic experiences'; (ii) 'psychotic‐like experiences'; (iii) 'psychotic‐like symptoms'; (iv) 'attenuated psychotic symptoms'; (v) 'prodromal psychotic symptoms'; (vi) 'psychotic symptomatology'; and (vii) 'psychotic symptoms'. Methods: EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINAHL were searched during February–March 2019. Inclusion criteria included 1989–2019, full text, human, and English. Papers with no explicit definition or assessment tool, duplicates, conference abstracts, systematic reviews, meta‐analyses, or no access were excluded. Results: A total of 2238 papers were identified and of these, 627 were included. Definitions and assessment tools varied, but some trends were found. Psychotic experiences and psychotic‐like experiences were transient and mild, found in the general population and those at‐risk. Psychotic‐like symptoms were subthreshold and among at‐risk populations and non‐psychotic mental disorders. Attenuated psychotic symptoms were subthreshold but associated with distress, risk, and help‐seeking. Prodromal psychotic symptoms referred to the prodrome of psychotic disorders. Psychotic symptomatology included delusions and hallucinations within psychotic disorders. Psychotic symptoms was the broadest term, encompassing a range of populations but most commonly involving hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder, and disorganization. Discussion: A model for conceptualizing the required terms is proposed and future directions needed to advance this field of research are discussed.