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Adolescents & young adults

Why Consultation Matters for Adolescents and Young Adults

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders often begin during the late teenage years or early adulthood, when education, work, relationships, and independence are still developing.[1]

Continue to key points

Reasons consultation matters for adolescents and young adults

  • Psychosis can disrupt development.

    Symptoms may affect school, work, relationships, and daily functioning.

  • The diagnosis may not be clear at first.

    Psychosis can be related to schizophrenia, mood disorders, substance use, medical conditions, or other causes.

  • A consultation can guide the next steps.

    Schizophrenia specialists can clarify the diagnosis, review prior treatment, involve family appropriately, and recommend age-appropriate care or an early psychosis program when needed.

Evidence snapshot

Why timely connection to specialty care matters

74 weeks
In a U.S. study of 404 people receiving care after a first episode of psychosis, the median duration of untreated psychosis was about a year and a half.[2]

This is a median from one U.S. first-episode study; individual experiences and access to care vary.

References

  1. National Institute of Mental Health. Schizophrenia [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Mental Health; [cited 2026 Jul 25]. Available from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/schizophrenia.
  2. Kane JM, Robinson DG, Schooler NR, Mueser KT, Penn DL, Rosenheck RA, et al. Comprehensive versus usual community care for first-episode psychosis: 2-year outcomes from the NIMH RAISE Early Treatment Program. Am J Psychiatry. 2016;173(4):362-72.
  3. Salazar de Pablo G, Radua J, Pereira J, Bonoldi I, Arienti V, Besana F, et al. Probability of transition to psychosis in individuals at clinical high risk: an updated meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2021;78(9):970-8.