Asperger syndrome: a study on the transition to adult life
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https://doi.org/10.31766/revpsij.v38n4a4Keywords:
Asperger's syndrome, care, transition, adulthoodAbstract
Introduction: The transition from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) is a difficult stage with a high probability of follow-up abandonment. In addition to being at high risk of developing mental disorders, patients with Asperger syndrome (AS) may face difficulties in adjustment. This study examines the clinical development of patients with AS who were referred from the CAMHS of the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves of Granada to the corresponding AMHS. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study (with a longitudinal component) was performed, using an opportunistic sampling to recruit a group of patients with AS who were discharged from the CAMHS between 2008 and 2019. A total of 23 participants were included, 87% were male, with a mean age of 25±3,2 years, without significant differences between sexes. Results: 78.3% of the participants weren’t receiving any medical care at that moment. Lack of follow-up was associated with poor satisfaction during the transition process. We found high rates of anxiety (76.6%) and depression (46.2%) after discharge from CAMHS and patients significantly improved in autonomy and socialization skills. A better degree of autonomy was associated with higher IQ, and a worse one with higher levels of anxiety and a greater use of antidepressants, as did those patients who had maintained follow-up after discharge. Conclusions: The transition to adulthood in patients with AS is a complicated process in which we found a high percentage of care abandonment and the development of psychiatric comorbidities. Further research is needed to understand the characteristics of the transition process in patients with AS to develop effective strategies to minimize loss of care and its negative consequences.
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