Annual Research Review: Psychosis in children and adolescents – a call to action: a commentary on Kelleher (2025)

Abstract

The spectrum of psychosis is highly relevant to child and adolescent mental health. Psychotic symptoms are common in children and adolescents. The onset of psychotic disorders is often preceded by neurodevelopmental problems in early childhood, and some 13% of adolescents attending specialist mental health services will later be diagnosed with a psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder. Although 12% of psychotic disorders and 8% of schizophrenia cases have onset prior to age 18, there is little evidence available to guide the clinical care of young people with early onset psychosis. This commentary summarises the key findings of the annual research review on Psychosis in Children and Adolescents. It highlights the urgent need for clinicians and researchers in child and adolescent mental health to contribute to finding solutions to prevent the onset of psychosis and improve the lives of young people with early onset psychosis and their families.