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.

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 ( = 191) were recruited from in- and outpatient services 1997-2000, and assessed at baseline, 3 months, 1 and 2 years.

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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

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.

[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.

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.

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.

[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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The Effect of Substance Use on 10-Year Outcome in First-Episode Psychosis.

Substance use is common in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and has been linked to poorer outcomes with more severe psychopathology and higher relapse rates. Early substance discontinuation appears to improve symptoms and function. However, studies vary widely in their methodology, and few have examined patients longitudinally, making it difficult to draw conclusions for practice and treatment.

Metacognitive mastery in persons with first-episode psychosis and their caregivers: Implications for timely help-seeking and caregiver experiences. Brief report.

While metacognitive mastery seems to be closely linked to general functioning in persons with psychosis, little is known of metacognitive capacity of family members, who often play an important role in recovery and often report high levels of distress. We gathered assessments of metacognitive mastery from persons with first-episode psychosis and their mothers. We found that relatively higher overall mean mastery levels among the dyads, was related to less negative caregiver experiences, and less caregiver criticism.

Preventing Poor Vocational Functioning in Psychosis Through Early Intervention.

Objective: This study tested the hypothesis that early detection of psychosis improves long-term vocational functioning through the prevention of negative symptom development.

Methods: Generalized estimating equations and mediation analysis were conducted to examine the association between employment and negative symptoms over ten years among patients in geographic areas characterized by usual detection (N=140) or early detection (N=141) of psychosis.

Results: Improved vocational outcome after ten years among patients in the early-detection area was mediated by lower levels of negative symptoms during the first five years.

Metacognition in first-episode psychosis and its association with positive and negative symptom profiles.

There is growing evidence that metacognitive abilities which include the ability to synthesize knowledge regarding mental states in self and others and use this ability to solve problems are impaired in non-affective psychosis and associated with positive and negative symptom severity. We sought to (a) investigate the severity of metacognitive impairments in first-episode psychosis (FEP) compared to non-clinical controls and (b) explore associations with positive and negative symptom profiles. Ninety-seven people with FEP were compared to 101 control persons.

Subjective quality of life in first-episode psychosis. A ten year follow-up study.

Unlabelled: Subjective quality of life (S-QoL) is an important outcome measure in first episode psychosis (FEP). The aims of this study were to describe S-QoL-development the first 10-years in FEP patients and to identify predictors of this development.

Methods: A representative sample of 272 patients with a first episode psychotic disorder was included from 1997 through 2000.

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.