AAP Clinical Report Offers Guide for Assessing Youth With Psychotic-like Symptoms

A new AAP clinical report aims to provide pediatricians with a framework for identification, initial assessment, and mental health referral and consultation for youth presenting with psychotic-like symptoms. The report strongly encourages collaboration between pediatricians and mental health specialists to determine the best course of treatment for patients with psychotic-like experiences or psychosis. The report, “Collaborative Care in the Identification and Management of Psychosis in Adolescents and Young Adults,” published in the June 2021 issue of Pediatrics (published online May 24), recommends that pediatricians be familiar and comfortable with asking additional questions when patients present with vague or overt psychotic symptoms, to determine the appropriate level of care.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.