Recognizing Psychosis in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Michele Ribolsi; Federico Fiori Nastro; Federico Fiori Nastro; Martina Pelle; Martina Pelle; Caterina Medici; Caterina Medici; Silvia Sacchetto; Silvia Sacchetto; Giulia Lisi; Assia Riccioni; Martina Siracusano; Luigi Mazzone; Giorgio Di Lorenzo; Giorgio Di Lorenzo; Giorgio Di Lorenzo

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.768586

Frontiers in Psychiatry (Feb 2022)

Recognizing Psychosis in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Michele Ribolsi,
Federico Fiori Nastro,
Federico Fiori Nastro,
Martina Pelle,
Martina Pelle,
Caterina Medici,
Caterina Medici,
Silvia Sacchetto,
Silvia Sacchetto,
Giulia Lisi,
Assia Riccioni,
Martina Siracusano,
Luigi Mazzone,
Giorgio Di Lorenzo,
Giorgio Di Lorenzo,
Giorgio Di Lorenzo

Affiliations

Michele Ribolsi: Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology and Psychiatry, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
Federico Fiori Nastro: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Federico Fiori Nastro: Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Martina Pelle: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Martina Pelle: Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Caterina Medici: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Caterina Medici: Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Silvia Sacchetto: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Silvia Sacchetto: Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Giulia Lisi: Department of Mental Health, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Roma 1, Rome, Italy
Assia Riccioni: Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Martina Siracusano: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Luigi Mazzone: Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Giorgio Di Lorenzo: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Giorgio Di Lorenzo: Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Giorgio Di Lorenzo: IRCCS–Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.768586
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13

Abstract

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There is strong evidence for the existence of a high comorbidity between autism and psychosis with percentages reaching up to 34. 8% and several significant implications for treatment and prognosis of these patients. However, the identification of comorbid psychosis in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder represents a complex challenge from a psychopathological point of view, in particular in patients with greater deficits in verbal communication. Intercepting the onset of a psychotic breakdown in autism may be very difficult, both disorders in fact occur along a phenotypic continuum of clinical severity and in many cases, psychotic symptoms are present in an attenuated form. In this paper, we reviewed the available scientific literature about comorbidity between psychosis and autism, focusing our attention on four specific dimensions: delusions, hallucinations, negative symptoms, and clinical course. The aim of this paper is to provide clinical tools to identify these psychotic phenomena in autistic patients, even when they occur in their attenuated form.

Published in Frontiers in Psychiatry

ISSN: 1664-0640 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry: Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system: Psychiatry
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry

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