First psychotic episode risk markers for primary psychosis amongst people who use methamphetamine

Methamphetamine can precipitate a brief paranoid psychosis and can trigger psychotic episodes in individuals who have a primary psychotic disorder (Curran et al., 2004). On first presentation it is not always clear what causative role methamphetamine is playing (Mathias et al., 2008). Differential diagnosis is reliant on the patient's prognosis, and it can take years before the presence of a primary psychotic disorder can be confirmed (Niemi-Pynttari et al., 2013). This can delay treatment for individuals who are on a pathway to developing a psychotic disorder.

Source: Schizophrenia Research - April 18, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Rebecca McKetin, Leanne Hides, David J. Kavanagh, John B. Saunders, Sharon Dawe Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research