Initial Psychotic Episode Best Managed by Team-Based Approach

That is the title of this article I am writing about. "A new project funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests that first episode psychosis is best cared for using a team-based, coordinated specialty care approach.  This strategy was found to produce better clinical and functional outcomes than typical community care. Investigators also found treatment is most effective when provided soon after psychotic symptoms begin.  John M. Kane, M.D. is the leader of the RAISE Early Treatment Program, one of two studies that make up the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) project. The team’s research is published online in The American Journal of Psychiatry.  Kane and his colleagues trained clinical staff at real-world clinics around the country to use a coordinated specialty care treatment program called NAVIGATE. The program featured a team of specialists who worked with each client to create a personalized treatment plan."I did not get help until my second episode.  If I would have recieved help the first time it would have saved me a lot of time. I do not know if I was ready to start and education at that time although I would have come around to it.
The article goes on to say: "The treatment approach was based on shared decision making between the client and team. In addition, the treatment involved family members as much as possible.
'The goal is to link someone experiencing first episode psychosis with a coordinated specialty care team as soon as possible after psychotic symptoms begin,' said Kane.  'Our study shows that this kind of treatment can be implemented in clinics around the country. It improves outcomes and the effects are greater for those with a shorter duration of untreated psychosis.'  For the study, 404 individuals with first episode psychosis enrolled in the program (223 at clinics using the NAVIGATE coordinated specialty care program and 181 at clinics using ‘typical-care’).  Patients treated at clinics using the NAVIGATE program remained in treatment longer, and experienced greater improvement in their symptoms, interpersonal relationships, quality of life, and involvement in work and school compared with patients at the typical-care sites.  Obtaining care in a timely manner was extremely important. The Kane team found that the amount of time between the beginning of psychotic symptoms and the beginning of treatment (called the duration of untreated psychosis or DUP) strongly influenced treatment outcomes."While with this program maybe I would have started college earlier.  If only the doctor that had treated me thought it was something else besides sleep depredation.
The article ends with: Half of study participants had a DUP under 74 weeks and half had longer periods of untreated psychosis. NAVIGATE patients with a DUP of less than 74 weeks had much greater improvement in quality of life and overall symptoms compared with those with a longer DUP and those in community care.  'Clearly, the take-home message here is that outcomes for young people with early psychosis are better when clinicians do the right things at the right time,' said Robert Heinssen, Ph.D., director of the Division of Services and Intervention Research at NIMH.

'Dr. Kane’s work is having an immediate impact on clinical practice in the U.S. and is setting a new standard of care.  We’re seeing more states adopt coordinated specialty care programs for first episode psychosis, offering hope to thousands of clients and family members who deserve the best care that science can deliver.'"It would help a lot get jobs and lead a decent life.  I know that some people now would give anything to be able to work or go to school.  I do not know which change me more from always being locked up.  The illness or the place I hate more than anything the state hospital.  I went through so many change reverse psychology used on me. I never want to be locked up in that place again if i was ever locked I will not use the insane clause. I'd rather go to prison.