The feasibility and effectiveness of early intervention in psychotic disorders: The Australian experience

Abstract

In an attempt to provide optimum treatment for young people with emergent psychosis, we have developed the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC), which is designed to identify young patients in the early stages of first-episode psychosis and provide them with a comprehensive, sustained community-based service intended to minimize primary and secondary morbidity. Key elements of EPPIC are the mobile Early Psychosis Assessment Team, minimal inpatient treatment, continuity of care, a day program for recovering patients, specialist family work, and cognitively oriented psychotherapy for early psychosis. Preliminary evaluation of this model against our previous intensive inpa..