Introduction to psychotic disorders in adolescence

In the following chapter, we give an introductory presentation of psychotic disorders presenting in childhood and adolescence, defined as early-onset psychotic (EOP) disorders. First, we describe the diagnostic hierarchy under the EOP umbrella and the characteristic symptomatology for these individuals. Further, we review the most relevant psychiatric and somatic comorbidities, a neurodevelopmental continuum model, and outline some suggestions as to the complex origin of these disorders. Finally, we outline future research possibilities and promotions that we hope can be useful in bringing the EOP field forward.