Trajectory to a first episode of psychosis: a qualitative research study with families

Aim: The trajectory in psychotic disorders which leads from a relatively normal premorbid state in young people to a first episode of psychosis is only partly understood. Qualitative research methods can be used to begin to elucidate the temporal unfolding of symptoms leading to a first episode of psychosis, and its impact on families. Methods: We conducted open‐ended interviews with family members of 13 patients with recent onset non‐affective psychotic disorders, which focused on changes observed, effects on the family, explanatory models, help‐seeking patterns and future expectations. Standard data analytic methods employed for qualitative research were used. Results: Narratives by family members were remarkably similar. First, social withdrawal and mood symptoms developed in previously normal children; these changes were typically ascribed to drugs or stress, or to the ‘storminess’ of adolescence. Coping strategies by family members included prayer and reasoning/persuasion with the young person, and family initially sought help from friends and religious leaders. Entry into the mental health system was then catalysed by the emergence of overt symptoms, such as ‘hearing voices’, or violent or bizarre behaviour. Family members perceived inpatient hospitalization as traumatic or difficult, and had diminished expectations for the future. Conclusions: Understanding families' explanatory models for symptoms and behavioural changes, and their related patterns of help‐seeking, may be useful for understanding evolution of psychosis and for the design of early intervention programmes. Dissatisfaction with hospitalization supports the mandate to improve systems of care for recent‐onset psychosis patients, including destigmatization and a focus on recovery.     

Negative symptoms in first episode non-affective psychosis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of negative symptoms and to examine secondary sources of influence on negative symptoms and the role of specific negative symptoms in delay associated with seeking treatment in first episode non-affective psychosis. METHOD: One hundred and ten patients who met Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV) criteria for a first episode of schizophrenia spectrum psychoses were rated for assessment of negative, positive, depressive and extrapyramidal symptoms, the premorbid adjustment scale and assessment of demographic and clinical characteristics including duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). RESULTS: Alogia/flat affect and avolition/anhedonia were strongly influenced by parkinsonian and depressive symptoms, respectively. A substantial proportion (26.8%) of patients showed at a least moderate level of negative symptoms not confounded by depression and Parkinsonism. DUP was related only to avolition/anhedonia while flat affect/alogia was related to male gender, diagnosis of schizophrenia, age of onset and the length of the prodrome. CONCLUSION: Negative symptoms that are independent of the influence of positive symptoms, depression and extra pyramidal symptoms (EPS) are present in a substantial proportion of first episode psychosis patients and delay in seeking treatment is associated mainly with avolition and anhedonia.     

Major self-mutilation in the first episode of psychosis

Major self-mutilation (MSM) is a rare but catastrophic complication of severe mental illness. Most people who inflict MSM have a psychotic disorder, usually a schizophrenia spectrum psychosis. It is not known when in the course of psychotic illness, MSM is most likely to occur. In this study, the proportion of patients in first episode of psychosis (FEP) was assessed using the results of a systematic review of published case reports. Histories of patients who had removed an eye or a testicle, severed their penis, or amputated a portion of a limb and were diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum psychosis were included. A psychotic illness was documented in 143 of 189 cases (75.6%) of MSM, of whom 119 of 143 (83.2%) were diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum psychosis. The treatment status of a schizophrenia spectrum psychosis could be ascertained in 101 of the case reports, of which 54 were in the FEP (53.5%, 95% confidence interval = 43.7%-63.2%). Patients who inflict MSM in FEP exhibited similar symptoms to those who inflict MSM later in their illness. Acute psychosis, in particular first-episode schizophrenia, appears to be the major cause of MSM. Although MSM is extremely uncommon, earlier treatment of psychotic illness may reduce the incidence of MSM.     

Illicit substance use and its correlates in first episode psychosis

Mazzoncini R, Donoghue K, Hart J, Morgan C, Doody GA, Dazzan P, Jones PB, Morgan K, Murray RM, Fearon P. Illicit substance use and its correlates in first episode psychosis. Objective: To determine if substance use (particularly cannabis) is more frequent among first episode psychosis patients and associated with a more problematic clinical presentation. Method: All first episode psychosis (FEP) patients presenting to secondary services were recruited from London and Nottingham, over 2 years, in the Aetiology and Ethnicity of Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses study broad framework. Clinical and sociodemographic variables were assessed using a set of standardized instruments. A schedule was created to retrospectively collate substance use data from patients, relatives and clinicians. Results: Five hundred and eleven FEP were identified. They used three to five times more substances than general population. Substance use was associated with poorer social adjustment and a more acute mode of onset. Cannabis use did not affect social adjustment, but was associated with a more acute mode of onset. Conclusion: Cannabis has a different impact on FEP than other substances. Large epidemiological studies are needed to disentangle cannabis effect.     

The evolution of depression and suicidality in first episode psychosis

Upthegrove R, Birchwood M, Ross K, Brunett K, McCollum R, Jones L. The evolution of depression and suicidality in first episode psychosis. Objective: To have a clearer understanding of the ebb and flow of depression and suicidal thinking in the early phase of psychosis, whether these events are predictable and how they relate to the early course of psychotic symptoms. Method: Ninety‐two patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) completed measures of depression, including prodromal depression, self‐harm and duration of untreated psychosis. Follow‐up took place over 12 months. Results: Depression occurred in 80% of patients at one or more phases of FEP; a combination of depression and suicidal thinking was present in 63%. Depression in the prodromal phase was the most significant predictor of future depression and acts of self‐harm. Conclusion: Depression early in the emergence of a psychosis is fundamental to the development of future depression and suicidal thinking. Efforts to predict and reduce depression and deliberate self‐harm in psychosis may need to target this early phase to reduce later risk.     

EEG abnormalities and 3-year outcome in first episode psychosis

Objective: This study assesses the relationship of EEG to several aspects of 3 year symptomatic and functional outcome in first episode psychosis. Method: A total of 117 patients with first episode psychosis had their baseline EEG classified by modified Mayo Clinic criteria as normal, essentially normal or dysrhythmia. Socio‐demographic variables, duration of illness and of untreated psychosis and premorbid adjustment were also recorded. Positive and negative symptoms of psychoses, depression, anxiety and global functioning were rated on entry and after 3 years of treatment. Results: Patients with a dysrhythmic EEG at entry into treatment showed significantly greater persistence in both positive and negative symptoms of psychoses as well as anxiety and depression over 3 years. These findings were independent of duration of untreated illness or premorbid adjustment. Conclusion: An abnormal baseline EEG in patients with first episode psychosis is associated with a poorer symptomatic outcome at 3‐year follow‐up.     

Systematic review (meta-aggregation) of qualitative studies on the experiences of family members caring for individuals with early psychosis

Abstract

Despite the importance of the role of caregivers of people with psychosis being widely recognized, comprehensive understanding of their experience is limited. A thorough understanding of the experience of caregivers over the journey of the illness, particularly during its early stages, is crucial. Qualitative studies published between 1 January 1949 and 31 January 2018 were obtained from seven databases based on PICo search strategy. Meta-aggregation methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) was adopted to aggregate existing qualitative findings about caregivers’ experiences. Twenty-eight qualitative studies on 635 caregivers and family members were included in the review. Six inter-related categories—‘stigma’, ‘help-seeking’, ‘service encounter’, ‘emotional challenges’, ‘on becoming a caregiver’ and ‘making sense of experience’—were aggregated from 129 themes from the sub-acute stage, the acute stage and the recovery or residual stage. Three statements about caregivers’ experiences of their relative’s first episode of psychosis were synthesized from the findings. Results highlighted the need of incorporating caregiver intervention into the existing services to support the emotional challenges, uncertainty, and stigma-related burden along the caregiving journey.     

The subjective consequences of suffering a first episode psychosis: trauma and suicide behaviour

BACKGROUND: The subjective impact of a psychotic breakdown can be profound, potentially resulting in loss of social roles, hopes and aspirations and leading to stigmatisation, trauma and elevated suicide risk. This study aimed to assess the subjective effect and consequences of suffering a first episode of psychosis. It was hypothesised that suicide behaviour would be associated with the negative consequences of psychosis and co-morbid symptomatic-PTSD. METHODS: Patients were assessed by means of a semi-structured interview on their reactions and experience of their psychotic episode and its treatment and by means of standardised methods for psychotic (PANSS) and trauma-related (CAPS) symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients suffering their first episode of psychosis were interviewed. As a result of the onset of their illness, 77% indicated they had suffered loss or disruption to their life, 60% had thwarted future aspirations, 38% had suffered violence or harassment, 53% had suffered stigma and 50% social exclusion. Totally, 80% felt they had been traumatised by their treatment and 38% were cases for symptomatic-PTSD. Symptomatic-PTSD was significantly associated with involuntary hospitalisation but not psychotic symptoms. Positive psychotic symptoms were associated with harassment, stigma and social exclusion. Suicidal ideation was reported by 40% and 31% reported attempting suicide. Suicidal behaviour was greater in those suffering symptomatic-PTSD but this was not significant, suicidal behaviour was significantly associated with the experience of trauma, but not the severity of that trauma, prior to the onset of their psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: The negative consequences of a psychotic episode are significant. The potential iatrogenic effect of psychiatric care needs to be considered. Interventions need to be developed to reduce traumatisation and suicide risk.     

EEG abnormalities and two year outcome in first episode psychosis

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the relationship of EEG to 2 year symptomatic outcome, duration of illness and untreated psychosis and gender. METHOD: A total of 122 patients presenting for treatment of first episode psychosis had their baseline EEG classified by modified Mayo Clinic system criteria as normal, essentially normal or dysrhythmia. Positive and negative symptoms of psychoses were rated on entry and after 2 years of treatment. The socio-demographic variables and duration of illness and of untreated psychosis were also recorded. RESULTS: Patients with a normal EEG showed significantly more reduction in both positive and negative symptoms of psychoses over 2 years and were more likely to be in 'remission' as compared with the essentially normal or dysrhythmia group. The dysrhythmic group had significantly higher duration of illness than either the normal or essentially normal groups. There were no gender differences in the distribution of EEGs. CONCLUSION: An abnormal EEG in patients with first episode psychosis is associated with a poorer prognosis and a longer duration of untreated illness.