SOCAP (Ser Cymru funding) Social Outcomes, Coronavirus and Acute Transient Psychosis

Brief psychotic reactions were prominent in the nosological systems in several European countries prior to the development of operationalised international diagnostic systems, since when research interest has waned. Nonetheless, it is generally believed that psychosis with a rapid onset, short duration and favourable outcome can develop as a result of intolerable stress.

Reports from local clinical services (in North Wales and elsewhere), and case reports in journals, suggest a recent increase presentations of acute psychoses which appear to be COVID-19 related.

This Sêr Cymru sponsored research project conducted a feasibility study into the social outcomes of Covid-19 related Acute Transient Psychotic Disorder. Its objectives included:

(1) Completing a successful feasibility study with a view to applying for further funding to NIHR

(2) Confirming that ATPD cases can be identified in local services and describe how many and where

(3) Conducting a retrospective analysis of case data to capture relevant variables, including the duration of untreated psychosis, experience of Covid-19, lockdown, family/social stressors, economic stressors

(4) Identifying suitable means  for measuring social and clinical outcomes

(5) Establishing a prospective study of new cases with follow-up at 12 weeks  to test/assess clinical and social data-collection methods

(6) Conducting qualitative interviews with a small purposively selected sub-sample to learn what improvements might be made in the full proposal.

The project team reported to Welsh Government in April 2021.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640221106681