Stress Sensitivity in Psychosis: Assessment, Mechanism & Intervention

During the last century the concept of “stress” has taken a central position in both preclinical and clinical research. Its implications range from an organism’s most basic survival tactics to physical and mental well-being. In humans, stress is implicated in the epidemiology of a broad range of mental disorders, urging for a better understanding of its dynamics. One group that has been shown to exhibit a sensitized stress response are individuals with an at-risk mental state (AARMS) for psychosis. In order to identify, understand, and possibly influence this mechanism, this PhD trajectory aims to investigate the relation between stress-sensitivity and the development of psychosis, and the effects of early intervention targeting this mechanism.