Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Early Intervention in Psychiatric Disorders, Prague, Czech Republic, October 22-27, 1998

With expert guidance on developing specialty care service models for young people experiencing first-episode psychosis, the book offers a multimodal approach that aims for recovery and remission.

Despite years of research, debate and changes in mental health policy, there is still a lack of consensus as to what recovery from psychosis actually means, how it should be measured and how it may ultimately be achieved. In Recovering from a First Episode of Psychosis: An Integrated Approach to Early Intervention, it is argued that recovery from a first episode of psychosis (FEP) is comprised of three core elements: symptomatic, social and personal. Moreover, all three types of recovery need to be the target of early intervention for psychosis programmes (EIP) which provide evidence-based, integrated, bio-psychosocial interventions delivered in the context of a value base offering hope, empowerment and a youth-focused approach. Over the 12 chapters in the book, the authors, all experienced clinicians and researchers from multi-professional backgrounds, demonstrate that long-term recovery needs to replace short term remission as the key target of early psychosis services and that, to achieve this, we need a change in the way we deliver EIP: one that takes account of the different stages of psychosis and the ‘bespoke’ targeting of integrated medical, psychological and social treatments during the ‘critical period’. Illustrated with a wealth of clinical examples, this book will be of great interest to clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and other associated mental health professionals.

There is increasing interest in the setting up of specialised centers focused on treating young people in order to secure better outcomes and prevent the accrual of disabilities. This practical handbook is aimed at mental health professionals and administrators. The rationale for early intervention is outlined and the authors describe the key elements of an early intervention strategy. There is strong emphasis on program evaluation and specific suggestions for application in an early psychosis context. Common issues and challenges in implementing early psychosis foci in the real world are highlighted. Numerous examples of early intervention strategies in operation around the globe are provided and progress on an international early psychosis consensus statement is outlined. 25 international advisors have been involved in the development of the project, making the book a unique, relevant and constructive guide for all professionals involved in this area.

Psychological Interventions in Early Psychosis provides a comprehensive overview of the emerging research and clinical evidence base for psychological treatments across the phases of early psychosis. Beginning with identified at-risk young people, the text continues through to those in acute and recovery phases, to the needs of patients with persistent symptoms. This practical treatment handbook: draws upon the expertise of several internationally recognised clinical and research programs integrates reviews of the relevant research literature with illustrative case examples covers critical issues for the clinician in focal chapters on suicide prevention, comorbid cannabis abuse, and family work describes several modalities of treatment, such as multi-family psychoeducation, group work, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural approaches. Specialist early psychosis services are developing rapidly worldwide. Psychological Interventions in Early Psychosis will be an essential resource for clinicians and service leaders alike.

Multiple voices throughout the last century have preached the merits of various treatments for schizophrenia, ranging from cold baths to the currently accepted standards such as neuroleptic medication. Along with these ongoing treatments, there have been quiet commentaries, made mostly from the sidelines, suggesting the need to shift and refocus the way we think and talk about schizophrenia. Harry Stack Sullivan noted in 1927 that, 'The psychiatrist sees too many end states and deals professionally with too few of the pre psychotic" (Sullivan 192711994, p. 135). Similar thoughts have been echoed by purveyors of modem treatment for psychosis such as Thomas H. McGlashan: "Like others before me, I tried to make a difference . . . but like the others my efforts were largely in vain. I came upon the scene too late; most of the damage was already done" (McGlashan, 1996). Similar interest in the early phase of schizophrenia has developed across the globe and consolidated into a tentative, yet meaningful deliberation about the potential for prevention of psychotic illness through early identification and intervention. In the past decade, international support has grown from: Ian Falloon's prodromal intervention project in Great Britain (Falloon et aI. , 1996); Patrick McGorry's and Jane Edward's first episode psychosis program in Melbourne, Australia (McGorry et al.

This manual attempts to provide simple, adequate and evidence-based information to health care professionals in primary health care especially in low- and middle-income countries to be able to provide pharmacological treatment to persons with mental disorders. The manual contains basic principles of prescribing followed by chapters on medicines used in psychotic disorders; depressive disorders; bipolar disorders; generalized anxiety and sleep disorders; obsessive compulsive disorders and panic attacks; and alcohol and opioid dependence. The annexes provide information on evidence retrieval, assessment and synthesis and the peer view process.