Analyzing data from nearly seven million participants, researchers found that individuals with one condition face approximately seven times higher odds of being diagnosed with the other. The study, by M.R. Miles, D. Golm, and E. Palmer-Cooper, suggests this link persists at both trait and diagnostic levels.
Why Is There a Stronger Link to Negative Psychosis Symptoms?
The research indicates that the association between autism and psychosis is not uniform across all symptom types. According to the study, negative psychosis-spectrum traits—characterized by a lessening or absence of normal behaviours and functions related to motivation, interest, or expression—show the strongest correlation with autistic traits. In contrast, measures of positive traits, relating to the presence of unusual traits or experiences, demonstrate weaker correlations.
“Negative symptoms” in the context of the psychosis spectrum refer to a lessening or absence of normal behaviours and functions related to motivation, interest, or expression, whereas “positive symptoms” refer to the presence of unusual traits or experiences.
How Do Methodological Challenges Affect Diagnostic Accuracy?
The researchers addressed concerns regarding whether this observed link is due to methodological issues. It was previously unknown whether the link was due to such issues, for example, people with autism misinterpreting psychosis questionnaires or clinicians having difficulty distinguishing between the two conditions.
Furthermore, the study points to an overlap in expression and measurement to explain the variable symptomatic links.
What Are the Implications of Current Research Limitations?
Despite the large sample size of seven million people, the authors noted high heterogeneity and inconsistent reporting across the included research papers. This makes it difficult to understand the crossover between autism and psychosis.
Future research efforts, according to the authors, should aim to remedy these issues to better understand the crossover between autism and psychosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are autism and psychosis the same condition?
The research identifies a strong association between autism and the psychosis spectrum at both trait and diagnostic levels.
Why do people with autism have higher odds of a psychosis diagnosis?
Researchers pointed to an overlap in expression and measurement to explain the variable symptomatic links.
What are negative psychosis symptoms?
Negative psychosis-spectrum traits mean a lessening or absence of normal behaviours and functions related to motivation, interest, or expression, as referenced by Correll and Schooler.
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