It is now recognized that prognosis of psychosis can be much better when therapies start early! A wealth of early psychosis programs in the world are now functioning for quite some years and results are researched.
The British Psychological Society has come out with a new guide for young people with psychosis, and for those who care for them.
The guide is at this link
There is also a short video that describes psychosis in a very friendly and non-pathologizing way.
What is early intervention and what is the evidence, an overview
Patrick McGorry - Early intervention for psychosis: A new architecture and culture of care McGorry presents an overview of studies which shows how prognosis of psychosis can be much better by good care starting as early as possible. Less medication, more emphasis on going back fast to work and study see youtube
FPR-UCLA CBDMH 2014: The "TIPS" Early Intervention in Psychosis Study (Norway) see youtube.
Wikipedia on early intervention
Latest information: Patrick Mc Gorry on the last IEPA conference.
Websites
Browse The virtual conference library from IEPA with nearly all the presentations from 2012 and 2014 conferences!
Early psychosis intervention website from Canada.
NAVIGATE: A comprehensive early treatment program for people with first episode psychosis. This program is without individual therapy, it has working ingredients however, like family work, case management and skills training. It would be interesting to compare the outcome with programs that include personal therapy. Program director, who educates the community, recruits individuals who have begun to experience psychosis, and leads the team. Prescriber, trained in using low doses of medications and addressing special issues of clients with first episode psychosis Individual Resiliency Trainer (IRT), who helps individuals identify and work towards their goals, teaching them strategies and skills to build their resiliency in coping with psychosis while staying on track with their lives Family Education (FE) Clinician, who helps the whole family learn about psychosis and how to manage it, and also how to support each other and build family resiliency Supported Employment and Education (SEE) Specialist, who helps people identify and achieve their educational and/or employment goals Case Management, provided either by a separate case manager or by a specified NAVIGATE team member.
Articles
Early intervention in psychosis: concepts, evidence and future directions, Patrick d. Mcgorry, Eóin Killackey, and Alison Yung.
The Lambeth Early Onset (LEO) Team: randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of specialised care for early psychosis, Tom K J Craig.
CONCLUSIONS: CBTuhr to prevent a first episode of psychosis in persons at UHR of developing psychosis is still effective at 4-year follow-up. Our data also show that individuals meeting the formal criteria of a psychotic disorder have worse functional and social outcomes compared with non-transitioned cases.
Books
A handbook: Psychological Interventions in Early Psychosis: A Treatment Handbook, by John F. M. Gleeson (Editor), Patrick D. McGorry (Editor), see amazon.
The recognition and management of early psychosis, A preventive approach, Edited by Patrick D. McGorry and Henry J. Jackson, University of Melbourne see Pdf
