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Early intervention in psychosis: a new evidence based paradigm

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2011

Patrick D. McGorry  and
Eoin J. Killackey
Patrick D. McGorry*
Affiliation:
Early Psychosis Prevention & Intervention Centre, Victoria, Australia
Eoin J. Killackey
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Professor P. McGorry, MH-SKY 35 Popular Road – Parkvile, 3052 victoria (Australia). Fax: +61-3-9342.2948 E-mail: mcgorry@ariel.unimelb.edu.au
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Summary

Objective – Even in countries whose mental health services are comparatively well resourced, the care offered to those in the early stages of psychotic illnesses is not what it could be. Patients often have to progress to chronicity before receiving adequate interventions, by which stage there has been great potential for harm, not only through the psychosis, but also to the quality of life of the individual who has often missed or not completed adequately, several important developmental tasks. Further, evidence indicates that delay in treatment is positively associated with poorer outcome. This paper puts the case for early intervention in psychosis. Method – Based on the experience of the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre in Melbourne, the paper reviews the evidence for and the criticisms of, early intervention. Using the concept of indicated prevention, it suggests ways in which clinicians can improve the interventions available to those experiencing the onset of psychosis and suggests that prepsychotic intervention may be possible. Results – Evidence discussed in this paper indicates that the development of mental illness is a major health issue in young people; that there is a positive correlation between duration of untreated psychosis and outcome; that it is possible to identify a proportion of those at high risk of developing mental illness; that through intervention it may be possible to reduce the transition rate to illness. Conclusion – Primary prevention is beyond the capacity of our present knowledge. Indicated prevention in the form of early intervention and optimal, sustained treatment is a paradigm for which there is increasing supportive evidence. It is a paradigm which is appealing to clinicians, patients, families and which has the potential to reduce the secondary impact of serious mental illness such as suicide, stigma, isolation and reduction in social status.

Keywords

first episode psychosisearly interventionpre-psychotic interventionphase specific interventionearly detection
Type
Invited Papers
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , December 2002 , pp. 237 - 247
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2002

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