Outcome of patients with unipolar, bipolar and psychotic disorders admitted to a specialist child and adolescent mental health service.
To evaluate the outcome of adolescents with unipolar, bipolar and psychotic disorders admitted to a specialist child and adolescent mental health service in order to inform and enhance service delivery. Young people treated over a 2 year period at the Rivendell Unit, Sydney, Australia, were identified. Information was gathered from the medical records, mailed questionnaires and follow-up telephone interviews. Of 114 patients eligible for inclusion in the study, outcome information was available for 85 (75%). After 3 years, there was improvement in mood and general level of functioning for all diagnostic groupings. Overall, suicidal thought, self-harm and suicide attempts were not significantly reduced at follow up and relapse rates were high. Patients with bipolar disorder seemed to have a better response to treatment than other diagnostic groups on general functioning, education and employment. The findings confirm the seriousness and adverse psychosocial consequences of psychotic, unipolar and bipolar mood disorders in this age group, highlighting the need for consistent and systematic follow up of young people after treatment.