Activation differentiates illness trajectories among youth seeking mental health care

Abstract

Background: The clinical profiles of youth presenting to early intervention mental health services are heterogeneous, with various sub-groups proposed and little information about the longitudinal stability of profiles, especially those associated with bipolarity. Methods: 802 youth aged 12–25-years (Mean = 18.26; 66 % females) accessing primary-care based mental health clinics were assessed at baseline and 417 were re-assessed after 12-months. An exploratory factor analysis of 62 items from six validated rating scales of the severity of mental and physical ill-health was conducted. Seven factors (anxiety, sleep, depression, restlessness, distress, activation, somatic complaints) were derive..