Psychosis can be forecast in teenagers

Doctors can predict schizophrenia and other illnesses, researchers say

Dr. William T. Carpenter, director of the University of Maryland's Psychiatric Research Center, said the risk factors may actually be "minor" symptoms of psychosis. Some people begin to lose IQ points and become socially withdrawn by puberty, problems that may not be taken seriously until the person becomes disabled.

Early help won't stop the disease or lessen its severity, Carpenter said, but it can help some graduate from high school and maintain family relationships.

Also, he stressed, psychosis can develop in some young adults who never exhibited early signs.

Dr. J. Raymond DePaulo Jr., director of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, said the "checklist" may be of limited value to some parents.

"A worst-case scenario would be that a conscientious but statistically naive parent might now think that seeing any of these things means that their child is moving closer and closer to becoming schizophrenic," he said.

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