Early intervention in psychosis is a clinical approach to those experiencing symptoms of
psychosis for the first time. It forms part of the new prevention paradigm for psychiatry
[1][2] and is leading to reform of
mental health services,
[3] especially in the United Kingdom.
[4][5] There has been considerable academic interest over the past decade.
[6]This approach centers on the early detection and treatment of early symptoms of psychosis during the formative years of the psychotic condition. The first three to five years are believed to be a critical period.[7] The aim is to reduce the usual delays to treatment for those in their first episode of psychosis. The provision of optimal treatments in these early years is thought to prevent relapses and reduce the long term impact of the condition. It is considered a secondary prevention strategy.
The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) has been shown as an indicator of prognosis, with a longer DUP associated with more long term disability.[8]
There are a number of functional components of the early psychosis model,[9][10][11] and they can be structured as different sub-teams within early psychosis services. The emerging pattern of sub-teams are currently
