Effectiveness of early intervention in psychosis : Current Opinion in Psychiatry (original) (raw)
Schizophrenia
aDepartment of Psychology
bORYGEN Research Centre
cDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
Correspondence to Dr Eóin Killackey, ORYGEN Research Centre, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville, 3057 Victoria, Australia Tel: +61 3 9342 2900; fax: +61 3 9387 3003; e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Purpose of review
Over 15 years, early intervention in psychosis has grown to become a mainstream funded approach to clinical care. This review examines recent developments in evaluating the effectiveness of early intervention. It considers identification and treatment of those at risk of psychosis, as well as interventions in the postonset phase of illness.
Recent findings
Development of methods identifying those at risk of psychosis continues to evolve. Promising results in the prevention and delay of transition to psychotic disorder from a high-risk state have been found. Psychological and psychosocial interventions are important components of these preventive programmes. Two recent meta-analyses indicate that there is a consistent relationship between duration of untreated psychosis and outcome independent of other factors. Further evidence shows that early intervention reduces the duration of untreated psychosis, produces better outcomes in terms of symptomatic and functional domains, and is cheaper than standard models of care.
Summary
There is evidence that early intervention is effective for early psychosis. Some challenges remain. These include developing a greater focus on functional recovery and prevention of relapse.
© 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.