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Psychosis in autism: comparison of the features of both conditions in a dually affected cohort.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Larson, Felicity V 
Wagner, Adam P 
Jones, Peter B 
Tantam, Digby 
Lai, Meng-Chuan 

Abstract

BackgroundThere is limited information on the presentation and characteristics of psychotic illness experienced by people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).AimsTo describe autistic and psychotic phenomenology in a group of individuals with comorbid ASD and psychosis (ASD-P) and compare this group with populations affected by either, alone.MethodWe studied 116 individuals with ASD-P. We compared features of their ASD with people with ASD and no comorbid psychosis (ASD-NP), and clinical characteristics of psychosis in ASD-P with people with psychosis only.ResultsIndividuals with ASD-P had more diagnoses of atypical psychosis and fewer of schizophrenia compared with individuals with psychosis only. People with ASD-P had fewer stereotyped interests/behaviours compared with those with ASD-NP.ConclusionsOur data show there may be a specific subtype of ASD linked to comorbid psychosis. The results support findings that psychosis in people with ASD is often atypical, particularly regarding affective disturbance.

Description

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Child, Comorbidity, Humans, Middle Aged, Psychotic Disorders, Schizophrenia, Young Adult

Journal Title

Br J Psychiatry

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0007-1250
1472-1465

Volume Title

Publisher

Royal College of Psychiatrists
Sponsorship
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (via Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) (unknown)
Medical Research Council (PhD studentship, Autism Imaging Multicentre Study (MRC AIMS) Consortium), Baily Thomas Charitable Trust, Health Foundation, University of Cambridge (William Binks Autism Neuroscience Fellowship), Child and Youth Mental Health Collaborative at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto (O’Brien Scholars Program), Autism Research Trust, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care East of England at the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust