Study
phs000092.v1.p1

Section PS, Psychosis, is a non-diagnostic survey of the subject’s experiences of delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are fixed false beliefs, outside of cultural norms, such as the idea that the KGB is following you. Delusions are firmly held in spite of what almost everyone else believes and in spite of what constitutes incontrovertible and obvious proof to the contrary. Some religious or culturally supported beliefs may be hard to distinguish from non-bizarre delusions (for instance, the conviction of some highly religious people that they talk with, and receive instructions from God). For this reason, interviewers are asked to record multiple detailed examples of every psychotic symptom. Plausible examples should not be probed.

Hallucinations are false sensory experiences: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or feeling something which is not present. Hallucinations are sensory perceptions without any sensory event. Examples are: feeling bugs crawling all over one’s skin when they are not; seeing Martians and vampires seated at the dining table; hearing voices when no one else is in the area. Hallucinations must be distinguished from illusions. Illusions are misinterpretations of sights, sounds, smells, etc.

Any psychotic symptom coded 5 should be brought to the attention of a clinician for final review.

NOTE: Examples based in reality should be coded “1.” For example, if R felt that others were talking about him/her and thinks that this was probably true (for example, noticed the group stopped talking when R entered the room), do not code this positive.

Now I’m going to ask you about very unusual experiences that some people have.

PS1. Did you ever hear things that other people couldn’t hear, such as voices whispering or talking, when you were completely awake?

1 = NO SKIP TO PS25 = YES SPECIFY

A. What did you hear?

B. Did this only occur while you were using drugs or alcohol?

1 = NO5 = YES

Spec: Checks for auditory hallucinations. These hallucinations must occur when the respondent is fully awake. Stress “completely awake.” PS1A The respondent must have heard more than two words, and these words must have been heard more than twice. For example, believing that you heard your name called in a crowd would not count.

PS2. Did you ever see things that other people could not see or have visions when you were completely awake?

1 = NO SKIP TO PS35 = YES SPECIFY

A. What did you see?

B. Did this only occur while you were using drugs or alcohol?

1 = NO5 = YES

Spec: Checks for visual hallucinations experienced by the respondent while completely awake. The interviewer should be certain to distinguish hallucinations from illusions. Illusions are not coded.

PS3. Did you ever feel that people were out to get you or trying to hurt you?

1 = NO SKIP TO BOX PS35 = YES SPECIFY

A. What did you think?

B. Did this only occur while you were using drugs or alcohol?

1 = NO5 = YES

Spec: This item assesses persecutory delusions, i.e., that the individual is being attacked, harassed, cheated, persecuted or conspired against. These beliefs are paranoid in nature, and R must feel that people want to hurt, persecute, or plot against him/her for no apparent or sensible reason. Thinking that your partner was trying to harm you probably does not count.

BOX PS3 IF ALL CODED 1 IN PS1 - PS3, SKIP TO NEXT SECTION. OTHERS CONTINUE.

PS4AgeOns. How old were you the first time you had any of these experiences? AGE

PS4AgeRec. How old were you the last time you had any of these experiences? AGE

PS4Rec. Was it within the past month?

1 = NO5 = YES

A. Did this (any of these) experiences(s) last continuously for 6 months or longer?

1 = NO5 = YES

PS6. Has there ever been a time when you wanted to talk a doctor or other health professional about these experiences?

1 = NO SKIP TO PS75 = YES

A. Did you do it?

1 = NO SKIP TO PS75 = YES

PS6AgeOns. How old were you the first time you talked to a health professional about any experiences you may have had? AGE

PS6AgeRec. How old were you the first time you talked to a health professional about any experiences you may have had? AGE

PS6Rec. Was it within the past month?

1 = NO5 = YES

D. With whom did you speak first?

RECORD CODE (1 - 5).

Spec: This question assesses help-seeking behavior.

PS7. Were you ever prescribed medicine for these experiences? (SPECIFY)

1 = NO SKIP TO NEXT SECTION5 = YES

PS7_Specify1. Name of medication 1

PS7_CODE. Code for medication 1 CODE

PS7_SPECIFY2. Name of medication 2

PS7_CODE2. Code for medication 2 CODE

PS7_SPECIFY3. Name of medication 3

PS7_CODE3. Code for medication 3 CODE

PS7_SPECIFY4. Name of medication 4

PS7_CODE4. Code for medication 4 CODE

PS7_SPECIFY5. Name of medication 5

PS7_CODE5. Code for medication 5 CODE

PS7_SPECIFY6. Name of medication 6

PS7_CODE6. Code for medication 6 CODE

PS7_SPECIFY7. Name of medication 7

PS7_CODE7. Code for medication 7 CODE

PS7_SPECIFY8. Name of medication 8

PS7_CODE8. Code for medication 8 CODE

Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE)

SSAND: PS: Psychosis