[Young chronic patients: how can we better manage the most difficult cases among them? A review of the literature].

The term "Young Adult Chronic Patients" (YACPs) was first used in the early eighties in the American literature. It describes a new generation of young mentally ill persons who become chronic, no longer in the clinic but in the community. They are characterized less by a common psychopathology than by their social deficits and their behaviour, which frustrates caregivers and makes them feel helpless. Possible causes of the YACP phenomenon and shortcomings of the care provided for them are discussed. The authors consider that a flexible, individually tailored and comprehensive multi-program system of services including case-management is needed to treat the YACPs better in future. Finally, advantages and problems of the YACP concept are discussed.