ABSTRACT
Two patients with a psychotic depression showed insufficient response to pharmacotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy. The problem therefore was which alternative treatment options should be considered at this stage. On the bases of the available literature the most suitable options seemed to be clozapine, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and lithium addition. Patient A responded well to clozapine and the condition of patient B improved during treatment with tranylcypromine, lithium and quetiapine.
Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Depressive Disorder/therapy , Electroconvulsive Therapy/methods , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Clozapine/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Lithium Compounds/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Therapeutics , Tranylcypromine/therapeutic useABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: There is no consistent evidence of long duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) predicting long time to response (TTR) in first psychosis. This study aims to investigate the predictors of DUP and TTR in a first episode patient population. METHOD: An epidemiologically representative sample of 157 non-affective first psychotic episode patients was interviewed and followed-up for at least half a year. RESULTS: The mean DUP was 46 weeks, the median 31 days. Long DUP was associated with being unemployed before treatment and male gender. Short DUP, having a job, and living with a partner before treatment predicted early response. CONCLUSION: Early intervention likely improves short-term treatment response in first episode psychosis. The best strategy to reduce DUP probably is to direct attention to the substantial number of patients who do not engage in regular treatment.