[Catamnestic study of the problem of the course and diagnostic changes in 22 adolescents with affective psychosis]

Among the adolescents seen as inpatients at the University of Göttingen psychiatric hospital in 1972 and 1973, the diagnosis of affective psychosis was made about as often as that of a schizophrenic psychosis, both being rare compared with the total number of children and adolescents treated. At 10- to 11-year follow-up it was found that 4 of the 22 patients with affective psychoses had committed suicide. Only 3 patients had not required subsequent inpatient care. In 2 cases the diagnosis had to be changed to a schizophrenic psychosis, and in 1 to exogenous psychosis. The outcome was more favorable with regard to the subjects' social and occupational development. Most had been able to complete their schooling and to enter their chosen occupation. Only 2 were unemployed.