Dr Helen Fisher is exploring the factors that affect the chances of children developing psychosis – to help identify and support young people at risk.
1 in 10 children will experience psychotic symptoms, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others don’t.
A number of major studies have explored this area, and found that if these symptoms continue into adolescence, it can be a sign of future schizophrenia. And if young people have been bullied, abused or experienced other traumatic events, the chance of developing the condition increases.
But understanding of exactly how trauma can lead to psychosis remains limited – so Helen and her team are analysing data collected over many years, to pinpoint potential clues.
Helen’s team are looking at data from existing studies that describe exposure to traumatic events, alongside information on potential psychological and social mechanisms and the nature of psychotic symptoms across childhood.
And they’re also studying DNA samples that were taken during the studies, to explore whether changes in gene behaviour after traumatic experiences could provide clues to the causes of psychosis.
Sophie has experienced psychotic symptoms since a young age. Helen’s research is providing her with hope that she’ll learn more about what caused these, and what can be done to prevent her symptoms getting worse as she grows up.
By looking at psychological, social and biological data about childhood trauma, this project will deliver a new perspective on the development of psychotic symptoms.
In turn, this could enable us both to identify young children at risk of psychosis, and to provide treatments that prevent psychosis from developing.
Dr Helen Fisher is a psychologist and senior lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. Her focus is on the causes and treatment of psychosis in young adults.
Do natural variations in hormones, such as oestrogen, make anxiety disorders more likely? If so does this affect the way people respond to treatment?
Dr Lussier aims to determine the extent to which child and adolescent depression interacts with genetic susceptibility to influence suicide risk in early adulthood.
People with severe mental illnesses are at high risk of heart disease due to lack of physical activity and social isolation. Social prescribing can help, but is it accessible?