Psychosis in Childhood and Adolescence

Psychosis in Childhood and Adolescence offers an in-depth examination of the nature of psychosis, its risk factors and its manifestations in children and adolescents who experience a continuum of emotional disorders. The chapters present a hopeful, research-based framework for treatment. They emphasize combined treatment that is based on psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy principles, pharmacological interventions and supportive family approaches that reflect the vulnerabilities and resources of the individual child. This text highlights the importance of thorough assessment and the need for long-term treatment that facilitates the psychotic child's healthy maturation. Readers will benefit from the case examples that illustrate the complexity of psychosis and the discussions of diagnostic and treatment issues as presented by experienced clinicians and researchers.

James B. McCarthy, PhD, ABPP, is Director of Field Training and Associate Professor of Psychology, Pace University PsyD program in School-Clinical Child Psychology, and Clinical Professor of Psychology, Adelphi University Postgraduate Program in Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychotherapy. Formerly the Director of Psychology at Queens Children's Psychiatric Center in New York, he has published extensively in professional journals. His previous books include Death Anxiety: The Loss of the Self; Adolescence and Character Disturbance; and Adolescent Development and Psychopathology.

"Although the signs and symptoms of psychosis in childhood allows the clinician to appreciate the breadth and range of these conditions, the underlying causes remain elusive. McCarthy and his colleagues summarize the current understanding of these issues in an informative and useful fashion. Through reading this volume, mental health professionals can provide more effective treatments to this high risk population of youth. This often overlooked and important topic is clearly described in this volume." -- Victor M. Fornari, MD, Director, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, The Zucker Hillside Hospital; Professor of Psychiatry & Pediatrics, Hofstra North Shore LIJ School of Medicine "With the increased frequency of mass murders due to poorly diagnosed and treated psychosis in youth, McCarthy's timely book calls for quality mental health care for these youth. The book's clinical examples highlight that comprehensive assessment of evidence-based biological factors, as well as psychosocial/environmental factors impact the inner life and development of psychosis. Most importantly, in contrast to currently employed superficial revolving door, symptom-based psychopharmacological treatment, the book argues for sensitive, thoughtful, individually designed, and multifaceted long-term treatment that includes psychotherapy for psychotic youth. This book is essential for mental health professionals looking for quality care approaches for adolescents with psychosis." --Rochelle Caplan, MD, Emeritus Professor, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry, UCLA "This is a gracefully written book authored by child psychiatrists who see the child patient with psychosis as an individual situated in a family context, who has patterns of looking at the world (cognitive schemas) and patterns of relating with others (patterns of attachment), which are disturbed by their symptoms. McCarthy and his colleagues build upon knowledge about brain circuits and genes, and move beyond nosology, to consider the lived experience of these children and their families, and how that should inform thoughtful and personalized care." --Cheryl M Corcoran, MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University; Research Scientist, New York State Psychiatric Institute "In this comprehensive volume, Dr. McCarthy has provided mental health professionals with an invaluable and highly practical resource that brings clarity and focus to the diagnosis and treatment of psychosis in children and adolescents. I highly recommend this book for therapists, educators, and graduate students who work with this challenging population." --David Pelcovitz, PhD, Straus Chair in Psychology and Education, Azrieli Graduate School, Yeshiva University "McCarthy presents an impressive and important comprehensive review of diagnostic conceptualizations and treatment of psychosis in children with particular attention to controversial and complex issues encountered by clinicians. The integration of clearly presented theoretical underpinnings with