Symptom outcome 1 year after admission to an early psychosis program.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the change in positive, negative, and depressive symptoms after 1 year in an early psychosis program. METHOD: One hundred and eighty subjects were included from the first 257 admissions for a first episode of psychosis to a comprehensive early psychosis program. Most had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder. Subjects were assessed on admission to the program and at 3, 6, and 12 months after admission. All 180 subjects completed the 1-year assessment. Assessment measures included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. RESULTS: There was a clinically and statistically significant improvement in positive symptoms by 3 months, depression increased at 3 months but significantly improved by 12 months, and negative symptoms changed little over the first year. CONCLUSIONS: The differential changes in symptoms in the first year after admission have implications for treatment.