A 13-year follow-up of an adolescent psychiatric clientele

A follow-up of an adolescent psychiatric patient group, interviewed on the average 12 years after discharge, included scorings on the basis of the Global Assessment Scale. The four diagnostic groups (DSM-III) had different outcomes: for neurotic conditions a gradually increasing curve on the basis of GAS scores was seen - from the week before admission, the week before discharge, at termination of the outpatient treatment, and at follow-up. The curve indicates a GAS score of 78.3 at the time of follow-up, corresponding to cured or symptom-free. The outcome for the group of schizophrenics was unfavourable, with a GAS score at the time of follow-up of 36.5. A good outcome was seen for the group other psychoses, ending up with a GAS score of 68.5. The same outcome was found for the group of drug abusers, with a GAS score of 67.9 at the time of follow-up.