Psychotic-Like Experiences Linked to Depression and Suicidal Thoughts in Adolescents

In my clinical practice, I've often encountered adolescents who report having psychotic-like experiences. No, they don't suffer from psychotic disorder. Psychotic-like experiences are a mild form of psychosis and typically include paranoia, delusions, and bizarre, unusual thoughts. They're mild and so do not qualify to be diagnosed as a disorder. But that doesn't make these experiences any less worrisome.

Psychotic-like experiences are even more common than psychotic disorders. Many kids who go in for therapy report such experiences, even when they do not have diagnosed psychosis. That's not the most worrying part, though.

A new study has associated psychotic-like experiences in adolescents with depression and suicidal ideation. The strongest link was found in kids who reported paranoia and unusual thoughts.

Perhaps, do these bizarre thoughts predispose our young ones to depression to the point they even consider harming themselves? It isn't clear.

But the takeaway is, these psychotic-like experiences aren't as harmless and "normal" as adolescent care providers have always believed.

If such thoughts have a link with more serious issues like depression and self-destructive behavior, then clinicians indeed should make these inquiries part of their routine procedure for all adolescents who come seeking psychiatric care.

Inquiries like, "Are you having any bizarre thoughts like something bad is going to happen? Are you frightened by these thoughts?"

That's because many kids will not tell you about it unless asked. Some are scared that they may be considered a freak if they say it. So, it should be explained to adolescents and their families that these psychotic-like experiences are pretty common and manageable.

That way, it's less likely that a kid would do something rash or suffer in silence when they know they're not the only one experiencing it.

Also, cognitive psychotherapy can help adolescents understand their experiences and alleviate their impact on them.

Need help?

If you have an adolescent who's ever mentioned having unusual thoughts and paranoia or jumpiness, you don't have to dismiss it or call them crazy. One of the best things you can do is to take them to see an adolescent psychiatrist who can better explain things to them and evaluate whether it's mild psychosis or the disorder itself.

At Hope Mental Health, you can get all the help you need. We serve Boise & Meridian, Idaho, SLC & the Wasatch Front, Utah. Also serving OR, AZ, NV, WA & FL.

Contact us today.

Author

Satu H. Woodland, PMHCNS-BC, APRN Satu Woodland is owner and clinician of Hope Mental Health, an integrative mental health practice located at Bown Crossing in Boise, Idaho. She sees children, adolescents, and adults.  Ms. Woodland with her background in nursing, prefers a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that addresses the mind and body together. While Ms. Woodland provides medication management services in all her patients, she believes in long-lasting solutions that include a number of psychotherapies, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, attention to lifestyle, evidenced based alternative psychiatric care and spirituality. If you’d like to gain control over your mental health issues, call Hope Mental Health at 208-918-0958, or use the online scheduling tool to set up an initial consultation.