Linguistic Predictors of Outcomes in Psychosis

Longitudinal observational study of the relationship between speech patterns and clinical symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Inclusion Criteria:Speaks English with conversational proficiencyCurrent DSM-V-defined diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform, schizoaffective disorder, unspecified psychotic disorder, or brief psychotic disorder or bipolar 1 disorder with psychotic features or major depressive disorder with psychotic features using the Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I DSM-V Disorders (SCID-I/P).Current significant positive or disorganized symptoms of psychosis (DSM 5 Criterion A) including rating at or above any of the following on the BPRS:Grandiosity (Severe - 6)Suspiciousness (Moderately Severe - 5)Hallucinations (Moderately Severe - 5)Unusual thought content (Moderate - 4)Bizarre Behavior (Moderate - 4)Disorientation (Moderate - 4)Conceptual Disorganization (Moderate - 4)Early phase of psychotic illness as defined by less than 2 years elapsed since reaching threshold for psychotic disorderAge 15 to 40 yearsHas capacity and willing to sign informed consent; if minor, parent is willing to give consent and child is willing to give assent.Screening will not include a pregnancy test. Pregnant women will not be screened out of the study because the study procedures are of very low risk overall, and pregnancy does not place the participant or the fetus at any significant risk.Minors will be included in the study because psychosis symptoms frequently onset before the age of 18 and this patient group is particularly in need of accurate prognosis and treatment. Therefore, it is of vital importance that the conclusions of the study be applicable to minors and that they be included among the participants.Exclusion Criteria:Participants with substance-induced psychotic disorder, a psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition, delusional disorder, or shared psychotic disorder will not be included.Patient currently under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Disorders affecting speech or language, such as aphasia, intellectual disability (IQ<70), or language disorder, or movement disorders affecting speech like tardive dyskinesia, or physical impairments causing significant distortions to speechSerious neurological or endocrine disorder or any medical condition or treatment known to affect the brain and/or language, including but not limited to: neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury with active symptoms, autism spectrum disorder, encephalitis, epilepsySignificant risk of suicidal or homicidal behavior;Cognitive or language limitations, or any other factor that would preclude subjects providing informed consent