How first-episode psychosis patients' subjective beliefs about their childhood trauma's causal effect provide support for potential schizophrenia subtypes.

BACKGROUND: Childhood and adolescent trauma is a risk factor for developing psychosis-spectrum disorders. The current study aimed to assess how childhood trauma might predict psychosis symptomatology, and how patients' beliefs of whether trauma is the cause of psychosis might affect this association. METHODS: Ninety-six first-episode psychosis patients were assessed for childhood traumatic experiences with the Brief Betrayal Trauma Survey, and for psychosis symptoms with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. RESULTS: Non-interpersonal trauma predicted higher positive symptoms, whereas more trauma domains experienced predicted lower negative symptoms. Almost half of the participants believed trauma to be related to psychosis, were 12 times more likely to reexperience trauma through psychosis, and had higher excitative and emotional symptoms. Non-interpersonal trauma also predicted higher positive symptoms in this group. Those who did not believe trauma to be the cause of psychosis had higher negative symptoms, and a negative dose-response was found for negative and disorganised symptoms, in which more trauma domains experienced predicted lower scores. CONCLUSIONS: Results imply two traumagenic pathways to psychosis, one characterised by positive, excitative, and emotional symptoms, and one negative subtype, characterised by negative and disorganised symptoms. Clinical implications for how findings might contribute to better treatments are discussed.

Association between early suicidal trajectories in first-episode psychosis and 10-year follow-up: TIPS registry-linked study.

BACKGROUND: Although the risk of suicidality is high in first-episode psychosis, patterns and individual variability in suicidal thoughts and behaviours over time are under-researched. We aimed to identify early trajectories of suicidality over a 2-year follow-up, assess their baseline predictors, and explore associations between those trajectories and later suicidality. METHODS: This longitudinal follow-up study was a part of the Early Treatment and Intervention in Psychosis (TIPS)study. Participants, linked to Norwegian and Danish death registries, were recruited from four catchment areas (665 000 inhabitants) in Norway and Denmark (both inpatient and outpatient). We included participants aged 15-65 years, with an intelligence quotient of more than 70, willing to give informed consent, and with a first episode of active psychotic symptoms. Individuals with comorbid neurological or endocrinal disorders, or those with contraindications to antipsychotics, were excluded. Growth mixture modelling was used to identify trajectories of suicidal thoughts and behaviours over the first 2 years. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to examine the baseline predictors of those trajectories and their associations with suicidality at 10-year follow-up. FINDINGS: A total of 301 participants were recruited from Jan 1, 1997, to Dec 31, 2000. Of the 299 with completed suicidality data at baseline, 271 participated in 1-year follow-up, 250 in 2-year follow-up, 201 in 5-year follow-up, and 186 at 10-year follow-up. At baseline, 176 (58%) were male, 125 (42%) were female. The mean age was 27·80 years (SD 9·64; range 15-63). 280 (93%) participants were of Scandinavian origin. Four trajectories over 2 years were identified: stable non-suicidal (217 [72%]), stable suicidal ideation (45 [15%]), decreasing suicidal thoughts and behaviours (21 [7%]), and worsening suicidal thoughts and behaviours (18 [6%]). A longer duration of untreated psychosis (odds ratio [OR] 1·24, 95% CI 1·02-1·50, p=0·033), poorer premorbid childhood social adjustment (1·33, 1·01-1·73, p=0·039), more severe depression (1·10, 1·02-1·20, p=0·016), and substance use (2·33, 1·21-4·46, p=0·011) at baseline predicted a stable suicidal ideation trajectory. Individuals in the stable suicidal ideation trajectory tended to have suicidal thoughts and behaviours at 10-year follow-up (3·12, 1·33-7·25, p=0·008). Individuals with a worsening suicidal trajectory were at a higher risk of death by suicide between 2 and 10 years (7·58, 1·53-37·62, p=0·013). INTERPRETATION: Distinct suicidal trajectories in first-episode psychosis were associated with specific predictors at baseline and distinct patterns of suicidality over time. Our findings call for early and targeted interventions for at-risk individuals with persistent suicidal ideation or deteriorating patterns of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, or both. FUNDING: Health West, Norway; the Norwegian National Research Council; the Norwegian Department of Health and Social Affairs; the National Council for Mental Health and Health and Rehabilitation; the Theodore and Vada Stanley Foundation; the Regional Health Research Foundation for Eastern Region, Denmark; Roskilde County, Helsefonden, Lundbeck Pharma; Eli Lilly; Janssen-Cilag Pharmaceuticals, Denmark; a National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression Distinguished Investigator Award and The National Institute of Mental Health grant; a National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia & Depression Young Investigator Award from The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation; Health South East; Health West; and the Regional Centre for Clinical Research in Psychosis.

Childhood trauma, antipsychotic medication, and symptom remission in first-episode psychosis.

BACKGROUND: To what extent psychotic symptoms in first-episode psychosis (FEP) with a history of childhood interpersonal trauma (CIT) are less responsive to antipsychotic medication is not known. In this longitudinal study, we compare symptom trajectories and remission over the first 2 years of treatment in FEP with and without CIT and examine if differences are linked to the use of antipsychotics. METHODS: FEP (N = 191) were recruited from in- and outpatient services 1997-2000, and assessed at baseline, 3 months, 1 and 2 years. Inclusion criteria were 15-65 years, actively psychotic with a DSM-IV diagnosis of psychotic disorder and no previous adequate treatment for psychosis. Antipsychotic medication is reported as defined daily dosage (DDD). CIT (<18) was assessed with the Brief Betrayal Trauma Survey, and symptomatic remission based on scores from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. RESULTS: CIT (n = 63, 33%) was not associated with symptomatic remission at 2 years follow-up (71% in remission, 14% in relapse), or time to first remission (CIT 12/ no-CIT 9 weeks, p = 0.51). Those with CIT had significantly more severe positive, depressive, and excited symptoms. FEP with physical (N = 39, 20%) or emotional abuse (N = 22, 14, 7%) had higher DDD at 1 year (p < 0.05). Mean DDD did not excerpt a significant between-group effect on symptom trajectories of positive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that antipsychotic medication is equally beneficial in the achievement of symptomatic remission in FEP after 2 years independent of CIT. Still, FEP patients with CIT had more severe positive, depressive, and excited symptoms throughout.

Reconceptualization of borderline conditions through the lens of the alternative model of personality disorders.

Borderline (BPD) and schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) were introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III). However, the clinical differentiation of the 2 diagnoses (e.g., psychotic-like features) was challenging for diagnostic classification and clinical management. With the introduction of the alternative model for personality disorders (AMPD) in DSM-5 Section III, a dimensional approach was proposed, which potentially holds promise for better future differentiation between BPD and SPD. The present study sought to examine the psychopathology using the AMPD model. A total of 105 patients were interviewed, 25 were excluded according to exclusion criteria, and the final sample comprised 80 patients who fulfilled the DSM-5 criteria for BPD (n = 35), SPD (n = 25), and comorbid BPD + SPD (n = 20), respectively. All patients were administered The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 alternative model for personality disorders Modules I and II. One-way analysis of variance tests with planned contrasts were used. Results showed that for AMPD Criterion A, the BPD + SPD group had the most severe impairment of personality functioning, except for Identity, where the SPD group showed the most severe impairment. For AMPD Criterion B, the domain of Detachment and the facet of Eccentricity from the Psychoticism domain were most prominent for the SPD group relative to the 2 other groups. The differentiating between BPD and SPD manifestations of cognitive/perceptual disturbances does not seem resolved by the Psychoticism domain, which covers broader aspects of psychopathology. Future research should further investigate the construct of Psychoticism, especially to differentiate nonpsychotic symptoms (e.g., dissociation) and address thought disorder. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Help-Seekers in an Early Detection of Psychosis Service: The Non-cases.

Purpose: Enhancing early help-seeking is important for early intervention in psychosis. However, knowledge is limited about those help-seekers who are not initially found to have psychotic symptoms when assessed in services aiming at psychosis detection and, thus, deemed ineligible for early intervention of psychosis programs. We aimed to examine clinical diagnostic and socioeconomic pathways of help-seekers accessing an early detection of psychosis service with referral-free access. Specific focus was on the help-seekers initially assessed not to have psychotic symptoms, considered the non-cases, and to examine potential differences and similarities between non-cases and cases (i.e., those initially assessed to have psychotic symptoms). Methods: We followed 450 help-seekers assessed by a free-of-referral early detection of psychosis team in national registers for up to 4 years. We examined clinical diagnoses and status of not in education, employment, or training (NEET) before and after contact with the team. Results: Of the non-cases, 46% were referred to mental health services by the early detection of psychosis team for evaluation of other mental disorders, and 15% of these were subsequently diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder during follow-up of 12-52 months. Prior to current help-seeking, 39% (n = 174) of the help-seekers had had contact with other mental health services. Nearly a quarter of help-seekers were NEETs at the time of assessment; the number increased during follow-up, both for cases and non-cases. Of the cases, 58% were subsequently clinically diagnosed by mental health services. Those seeking help who had no previous contact with mental health services were more frequently diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder during follow-up (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Referral-free services to promote early detection of psychosis seem a valuable add-on to established pathways, allowing early intervention in psychosis. Our results point to an unmet mental health service need among non-cases; overall, in our sample, independent of case status, social functioning was markedly affected. Our results have implications for future focus in early detection of psychosis. Offering intervention to non-cases within the service has the potential to be cost effective, e.g., if a timely and targeted intervention reduces repeated contacts in other mental health services and social services.

Exploring Identity Disturbance and Psychotic Spectrum Symptoms as Predictors of Borderline and Schizotypal Personality Disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) were introduced in DSM-III and retained in DSM-5 Section II. They often co-occur and some aspects of the clinical differentiation between the 2 diagnoses remain unclear (e.g., psychotic-like features and identity disturbance). METHODS: The present study explored if self-reported identity disturbance and psychosis proneness could discriminate between the BPD and SPD DSM-5 diagnoses. All patients were interviewed with the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Personality Disorders, and administered the Inventory of Personality Organization, Self-Concept and Identity Measure, Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, Perceptual Aberration Scale, and the Magical Ideation Scale. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were initially assessed, 26 were excluded, and the final sample (N = 79) was composed of 34 BPD patients, 25 SPD patients, and 20 patients with co-occurring SPD and BPD. The BPD group (n = 34) was first compared with the pure SPD group (n = 25), and secondly with the total group of patients diagnosed with SPD (n = 25 + 20). Logistic regression analyses indicated that primitive defenses and disorganization best differentiated the BPD and the pure SPD group, while primitive defenses and interpersonal factor along with perceptual aberrations best differentiated the BPD and the total SPD group. CONCLUSION: Identity disturbance did not predict the diagnostic groups, but BPD patients were characterized by primitive defenses, which are closely related to identity disturbance. Pure SPD was characterized by oddness/eccentricity, while the lack of specificity for cognitive-perceptual symptoms suggests that the positive symptoms do not differentiate BPD from SPD.

Multi-family group and single-family intervention in first-episode psychosis: A prospective, quasi-experimental cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The evidence for manualized psycho-educative family intervention (FI) in first-episode psychosis (FEP) is well-established to reduce relapse and caregiver distress. Less is known, however, about type and duration of FI. AIM: To compare two different types of manualized family interventions for FEP: Multi-Family Groups (MFG) and Single-Family Intervention (SFI). METHODS: This was a prospective, quasi-experimental cohort study of all participants of an early psychosis service (OPUS) with an ICD-10 diagnosis of F20 to F29 (excl. F21), aged 18 to 35 years, in Psychiatry Region Zealand, Denmark, during a 2-year period. All service users and their relatives are offered FI, either MFG or SFI. Assessment of level of participation, psychopathology measured by The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), remission status and relapses was carried out at 3-year follow up. RESULTS: We found no differences between the service users participating in SFI (N = 25) or MFG (N = 18) on number of readmissions or relapses after baseline or psychopathology. A binary logistic regression analysis on remission status at follow up showed a trend in favour of MFG. A surprisingly high proportion of the families did not receive an FI. CONCLUSIONS: SFI and MFG seem equally effective in an FEP programme. The low attendance of FI may be due to several issues-among others, the probability that the FI did not sufficiently match the needs of the service users. Further studies involving larger samples are needed, included randomized controlled trials and implementation studies.

Measuring Psychotic-Like Experiences in the General Population.

INTRODUCTION: The notion of a full psychosis continuum in which psychosis is seen on a continuum with normal experience rests heavily on studies showing that psychotic symptoms are common in the general population. However, the methods of assessment in the studies have been criticized. OBJECTIVES: (1) to investigate how many from the general population who answered positively on a psychotic-like symptoms questionnaire and (2) to clinically assess a subset of those with psychotic-like experiences (PLE). METHODS: A self-rating questionnaire concerning PLEs was given to individuals from the general population. A subsample of those, who scored positively for PLEs, was clinically assessed for psychosis. RESULTS: Totally, 5.7% of the participants rated positive for PLEs according to the self-rating questionnaire. Forty of these were clinically assessed and 7 (17.5%) of them were found to have had a psychotic experience, 4 of them were already in psychiatric treatment. CONCLUSION: The self-reported psychotic-like phenomena were more common in the general population than psychotic disorders. However, when assessed clinically, the experienced phenomena did correspond to psychotic phenomena except in a few patients, who were found to suffer from a psychotic disorder. Overall, we did not find support for the full psychosis continuum model.

Early Substance Use Cessation Improves Cognition-10 Years Outcome in First-Episode Psychosis Patients.

Background: Cognitive impairment may be a risk factor for, as well as a consequence of, psychosis. Non-remitting symptoms, premorbid functioning, level of education, and socioeconomic background are known correlates. A possible confounder of these associations is substance use, which is common among patients with psychosis and linked to worse clinical outcomes. Studies however show mixed results for the effect of substance use on cognitive outcomes. In this study, the long-term associations of substance use with cognition in a representative sample of first-episode psychosis patients were examined. Methods: The sample consisted of 195 patients. They were assessed for symptom levels, function, and neurocognition at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years after first treatment. Test scores were grouped into factor analysis-based indices: motor speed, verbal learning, visuomotor processing, verbal fluency, and executive functioning. A standardized composite score of all tests was also used. Patients were divided into four groups based on substance-use patterns during the first 2 years of treatment: persistent users, episodic users, stop-users, and nonusers. Data were analyzed using linear mixed effects modeling. Results: Gender, premorbid academic functioning, and previous education were the strongest predictors of cognitive trajectories. However, on motor speed and verbal learning indices, patients who stopped using substances within the first 2 years of follow-up improved over time, whereas the other groups did not. For verbal fluency, the longitudinal course was parallel for all four groups, while patients who stopped using substances demonstrated superior performances compared with nonusers. Persistent users demonstrated impaired visuomotor processing speed compared with nonusers. Within the stop- and episodic use groups, patients with narrow schizophrenia diagnoses performed worse compared with patients with other diagnoses on verbal learning and on the overall composite neurocognitive index. Discussion: This study is one of very few long-term studies on cognitive impairments in first-episode psychosis focusing explicitly on substance use. Early cessation of substance use was associated with less cognitive impairment and some improvement over time on some cognitive measures, indicating a milder illness course and superior cognitive reserves to draw from in recovering from psychosis.

[Psychodynamic psychotherapy of patients with schizophrenia spectrum psychosis].

This Danish review is a description of the relevance and importance of psychodynamic psychotherapy in the understanding and treatment of patients with schizophrenia spectrum psychosis. Previous research is included, and the results of a recently published, large-scale, prospective comparative study showing good results of adding psychodynamic psychotherapy to treatment as usual are summarised. Concrete examples are given to demonstrate the specificity of the dynamics and the supportive characteristics of the effective interventions in the relationship between patient and therapist.

Does childhood trauma predict poorer metacognitive abilities in people with first-episode psychosis?

Research suggests that people with first-episode psychosis (FEP) report more childhood traumas and have lower metacognitive abilities than non-clinical controls. Childhood trauma negatively affects metacognitive development in population studies, while the association remains largely unexplored in FEP populations. Metacognition refers to the identification of thoughts and feelings and the formation of complex ideas about oneself and others. This study hypothesized that childhood trauma would be associated with lower metacognitive abilities in people with FEP. In a representative sample of 92 persons with non-affective FEP, we assessed childhood trauma, metacognitive abilities and symptoms of psychosis. We used the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Metacognitive Assessment Scale--Abbreviated which includes Self-reflectivity, Awareness of the Mind of the Other, Decentration and Mastery. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed with metacognitive domains as outcome variables and childhood traumas as independent variables, while controlling for age, gender, first-degree psychiatric illness and negative symptoms. We found few significant associations between the different types of childhood trauma and metacognitive domains, and they suggested childhood trauma are associated with better metacognitive abilities. Study limitations included the cross-sectional design and use of self-report measures. Future studies could preferably be prospective and include different measures of psychopathology and neuropsychology.

Depression and functioning are important to subjective quality of life after a first episode psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Subjective quality of life (S-QoL) is an important outcome measure in first-episode psychosis, but its associations with clinical predictors may vary across the illness course. In this study we examine the association pattern, including both direct and indirect effects, between specific predefined clinical predictors (insight, depression, positive psychotic symptoms and global functioning) and S-QoL the first ten years after a first-episode psychosis. METHODS: Three hundred and one patients with a first-episode psychosis were included at first treatment, and reassessed at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years and 10 years after inclusion. At 10-year follow-up 186 participated. S-QoL was assessed with Lehman's Quality of Life Interview. Applying a structural equation model, we investigated cross-sectional association patterns at all assessments between the predefined clinical predictors and S-QoL. RESULTS: At baseline, only depression was significantly associated with S-QoL. At all follow-up assessments, depression and functioning showed significant associations with S-QoL. Insight was not associated with S-QoL at any of the assessments. Better insight, less depressive symptoms and less positive psychotic symptoms were all associated with higher functioning at all assessments. Functioning seems to mediate a smaller indirect inverse association between positive psychotic symptoms and S-QoL. The association pattern was stable across all follow-up assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Together with depression, functioning seems to be important for S-QoL. Functioning seems to be a mediating factor between positive symptoms and S-QoL. A focus on functional outcome continues to be important.

The effect of implementation of an early detection team: A nationwide register-based study of characteristics and help-seeking behavior in first-episode schizophrenia in Denmark.

BACKGROUND: In an effort to make people with signs of psychosis seek help as early as possible, Region Zealand launched in 2012 an early detection team project as the first and only in Denmark. The project consisted of a combination of easy access and an information campaign targeting the public. This nation-wide study examined characteristics and help-seeking behavior of patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) in the early detection region in comparison with other Danish regions. METHOD: Data from the Danish National Schizophrenia register on all Danish patients diagnosed with first-episode schizophrenia during 2012 to 2015 were linked to demographic and health care data drawn from official national registers. Binary logistic regression analyses examined the difference between the early detection region and other regions controlling for demographic characteristics and utilization of mental health care services and contacts to general practitioner (GP). RESULTS: Patients in the early detection region were younger (OR = 0.51; CI: 0.42-0.62; p < 0.000) than in regions without early detection teams. Furthermore, they were more likely to be of Danish origin, and less likely to have contact with mental health services and GPs prior to FES. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that implementing an early detection team in combination with an information campaign contributed to detecting patients with first-episode schizophrenia earlier than in regions without the early detection team. The study gives an indication of different pathways among patients in the early detection region.

[Early detection of psychosis].

In 2012, Region Zealand launched the first early detection of psychosis team in Denmark. The motivation behind was the accumulating evidence of early detection of psychosis being of great importance for the outcome. This is a description of the experiences with establishing an early detection team in a Danish context and the outline of a strategy for informing the general population about psychosis. Furthermore, the first results from the research projects are presented. It is concluded, that early detection teams could be introduced throughout Denmark with great advantage.

Relation between premorbid adjustment, duration of untreated psychosis and close interpersonal trauma in first-episode psychosis.

AIM: Interpersonal traumas are highly prevalent in patients with psychotic disorders. Trauma caused by those close to the patient might have a more profound impact than other types of trauma and may influence early life social functioning. The aim is to investigate the associations between different types of trauma, in particular close interpersonal traumas experienced before the age of 18, premorbid factors and baseline clinical characteristics in a sample of first-episode psychosis patients. METHODS: A total of 191 patients from the 'TIPS' cohort completed assessment with the Brief Betrayal Trauma Survey at their 5 years follow-up interview. RESULTS: Half of the patients reported that they had experienced interpersonal trauma and one-third reported having experienced close interpersonal trauma before the age of 18. Women reported more sexual abuse, physical attacks and emotional and physical maltreatment than men. There were significant associations between early interpersonal trauma and premorbid adjustment and duration of untreated psychosis, but no significant associations with length of education, comorbid substance use or baseline clinical symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: Close interpersonal trauma before the age of 18 is associated with poorer premorbid adjustment and a longer duration of untreated psychosis. This may indicate that traumatic experiences delay help-seeking behaviour.

Important first encounter: Service user experience of pathways to care and early detection in first-episode psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Long duration of untreated psychosis is associated with poor clinical and functional outcomes. However, few systematic attempts have been made to reduce this delay and little is known of service users' experience of early detection efforts. AIM: We explored service users' experience of an early detection service and transition to specialized treatment service, including pathway to care, understanding of illness and barriers to adequate assessment and treatment. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 service users (median age 21, range 18-27, five males and five females) who were diagnosed with a first-episode non-affective psychosis and who were seen by an early detection team (TOP) and currently enrolled in a specialized early intervention service for this disorder (OPUS). RESULTS: Stigma and fear of the 'psychiatric system' were reported as significant barriers to help seeking, while family members were seen as a crucial support. Moreover, the impact of traumatic events on the experience and development of psychosis was highlighted. Finally, participants were relieved by the prospect of receiving help and the early detection team seemed to create a trusting relationship by offering a friendly, 'anti-stigmatized' space, where long-term symptomatology could be disclosed through accurate and validating questioning. CONCLUSIONS: Early detection services have two important functions. One is to make accurate assessments and referrals. The other is to instil hope and trust, and to facilitate further treatment by forming an early therapeutic alliance. The findings in this study provide important insights into the way in which early detection efforts and pathways to care are experienced by service users, with direct implications for improving psychiatric services.

Is going into stable symptomatic remission associated with a more positive development of life satisfaction? A 10-year follow-up study of first episode psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life is an important outcome measure for patients with psychosis. We investigated whether going into stable symptomatic remission is associated with a more positive development of subjective quality of life (S-QoL) and if different patient characteristics are associated with S-QoL depending on remission status. METHODS: Three hundred and one patients with a first-episode psychosis were included at baseline. At 10-year follow-up 186 were reassessed. QoL was assessed by Lehman's Quality of Life Interview. Remission was defined according to criteria proposed by the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group. One-way ANOVA, mixed model analysis, bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Patients going into stable symptomatic remission showed a more positive S-QoL-development over the follow-up period and reported higher life satisfaction at 10-year follow-up compared to non-remission. At 10-year follow-up, depressive symptoms and alcohol abuse or dependence explained a significant amount of variance in S-QoL among patients in remission. Among patients in non-remission, PANSS excitative component explained a significant amount of variance in S-QoL. All significant effects were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Stable symptomatic remission is associated with a more positive development of overall life satisfaction. Furthermore, different symptoms influence life satisfaction depending on status of remission. This has important clinical implications. While patients in remission might need treatment for depressive symptoms to increase S-QoL, in non-remission measures aiming to decrease hostility and uncooperativeness should be part of the treatment approach. Alcohol problems should be treated regardless of remission status.

Determinants of duration of untreated psychosis among first-episode psychosis patients in Denmark: A nationwide register-based study.

BACKGROUND: Information on determinants of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is still needed to inform campaigns targeting people with first episode psychosis (FEP). This nation-wide study analysed the association between demographic factors (age, sex, ethnicity, marital status, and geographic area), premorbid and illness-related factors (global functional level, substance misuse, and contact to police), healthcare factors (referral source and first FEP contact) and DUP. METHOD: The study population of 1266 patients aged 15-25years diagnosed with FEP (ICD10 F20.0-F20.99) was drawn from the Danish National Indicator Project during 2009-2011. The study population was combined with data from national administrative registers. A multinomial regression model was estimated to analyse the impact of demographic, premorbid and illness-related, and healthcare factors on DUP. RESULTS: One third of the population had a DUP below 6months. DUP longer than 12months was associated with older age at onset, being female, having cannabis misuse, and living in peripheral municipalities. Being charged by the criminal authorities during one year before FEP was associated with a DUP over 6months. CONCLUSION: DUP is related to a number of demographic, premorbid and healthcare factors. These findings suggest that future information campaigns should focus on increasing the awareness of early signs of psychosis not only among mental health professionals but also other professionals in contact with adolescents such as the police. It may also be useful to consider how to target information campaigns towards persons living in peripheral areas.

Psychological Flexibility as a Buffer against Caregiver Distress in Families with Psychosis.

Background: Research has shown that caregivers of persons with psychosis play an invaluable role in recovery, but unfortunately, often report high levels of distress. While cognitive models of caregiver distress have been well-supported, there is still limited knowledge of the psychological factors involved. Recent advances in cognitive behavioral therapy seem to converge on the importance of acceptance- and mindfulness based processes. Aim: To examine the impact of psychological flexibility on caregiver distress in the early phases of psychosis, while controlling for known predictors of caregiver distress. Method: Within a cross-sectional design, 101 caregivers of 38 persons with first-episode psychosis in a clinical epidemiological sample completed a series of self-report measures. Results: A linear mixed model analysis found that, after controlling for caregiver socio-demographic factors, service user symptoms, drug use and global functioning, psychological flexibility was a significant predictor of caregiver distress. Conclusion: Greater level of psychological flexibility in caregivers, seems to be related to lower levels of caregiver distress. This finding corresponds to studies within a broad range of emotional disorders. There may be important clinical implications in terms of facilitating the process of acceptance through interventions from the 'third-wave' or contextual cognitive behavioral therapies.