Is early intervention for psychosis feasible and effective?

Abstract

Services that provide comprehensive, early intervention (EI) have shown promise in improving long-term outcomes in schizophrenia. This article reviews the rationale and salient concepts relevant to understanding the growing EI literature. A selective review of studies evaluating the effectiveness of integrated EI is followed by a discussion of feasibility, especially in the US context. Finally, the authors present a framework that seeks to integrate activities traditionally categorized and separated as discovery and implementation. This framework is offered as a way to advance both goals.

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

The course of psychotic illnesses and the ‘critical period’