Inpatient psychiatric adolescents function better than expected after discharge. A follow-up study.

In order to evaluate and develop an inpatient program for adolescents, a follow-up study was carried out based on interviews with 58 adolescents discharged from the inpatient unit on average 7 years before. The mental status of these patients had been poor on admission. At the time of follow-up interviews, approximately 30% of patients appeared to have normal, socially varied lives. The results were better for patients whose treatment at the unit had lasted for more than 3 months and had included psychotherapy. Roughly 10% of the patients at the time of follow-up interviews had severe problems. The prognosis was worst for the patients who needed to be transferred from the adolescent unit to adult psychiatric treatment units because of suicidal and violent behavior. Young patients with severe disturbances need an individualized, multidisciplinary treatment approach, including individual psychotherapy and vocational training. The treatment should continue uninterrupted on an outpatient basis.