Do different psychotic experiences differentially predict need for care in the general population?

Bak, Maarten; Myin-Germeys, Inez; Delespaul, Philippe; Vollebergh, Wilma; de Graaf, Ron; van Os, Jim

doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2004.08.003

« Previous Next »Comprehensive Psychiatry
Volume 46, Issue 3 , Pages 192-199, May 2005

Do different psychotic experiences differentially predict need for care in the general population?

Maarten Bak
- Department of Psychiatry, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 (DRT 10), 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 (DRT 10), 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Inez Myin-Germeys
- Department of Psychiatry, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 (DRT 10), 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 (DRT 10), 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Philippe Delespaul
- Department of Psychiatry, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 (DRT 10), 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 (DRT 10), 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Wilma Vollebergh
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Da Costakade 45, 3521 VS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Ron de Graaf
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Da Costakade 45, 3521 VS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Jim van Os
- Department of Psychiatry, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 (DRT 10), 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, PO Box 616 (DRT 10), 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Division of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, PO Box 67, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +31 043 387 5443; fax: +31 043 387 5444.

Abstract

Introduction

The pathway from subclinical psychotic experiences to need for care may depend on type of psychotic experience, level of associated distress, and previous experience of psychosis.

Method

In a general population sample with no previous Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition, psychotic disorder (n = 4722), 83 subjects displayed at least one psychotic experience. Within the group of 83, subjects with (n = 24) and without need for care (n = 59) were compared. Presence of psychotic experiences at younger ages had been assessed at earlier interviews.

Results

Of 7 different psychotic experiences, only hearing voices, nonverbal hallucinations, and passivity phenomena were significantly associated with need for care. These associations were largely explained by the distress associated with the psychotic experience, but whether individuals had had psychotic experiences at earlier ages did not matter.

Conclusions

Different psychotic experiences differ in the associated level of need for care and the mediating role of distress. Longer prior exposure to psychosis may not influence the pathway from subclinical to clinical.