The ‘Parma At‐Risk mental states’ (PARMS) program: General description and process analysis after 5 years of clinical activity

Abstract

AbstractAimFrom January 2016, the Parma Department of Mental Health developed a specialized care protocol – the ‘Parma At‐Risk Mental States’ (PARMS) program – as a diffused service for early intervention in individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR‐P). The aims of this investigation were (1) to describe the PARMS structural organization and (2) to examine specific process indicators during the first 5 years of its clinical activity.MethodsAll participants were adolescent and young adult help‐seekers (aged 12–25 years) at CHR‐P in accordance with well‐defined psychometric criteria.ResultsAt entry, 52 subjects were provided with a dedicated protocol of care and only 14 dropped out during the first year of treatment. The Duration of Untreated Illness (DUI) overall decreased over time. Most of CHR‐P participants suffered from ‘Attenuated Psychotic Symptoms’ and ‘Brief, Limited, Intermittent Psychotic Symptoms’ in the same percentage (48.1% [n = 25]). The most common DSM‐IV‐TR diagnosis was schizotypal personality disorder, followed by borderline personality disorder and brief psychotic disorder.ConclusionsA specialized, evidence‐based care protocol for CHR‐P individuals within Italian adult and child/adolescent psychiatric services is feasible, also in adolescents, who have a high risk of falling through the child/adult service gap.