TY - JOUR
T1 - First-episode psychosis
T2 - A clinical approach
AU - Schulz, S. Charles
AU - Bass, Deanna
AU - Vrabel, Cynthia S.
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Backround: Psychotic illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar illness, are relatively common and clearly devastating diseases. Most scientific literature focuses on research and care of patients suffering from psychotic illnesses in the middle age-group; subsequently, the first episode or early stages of psychotic illnesses have been relatively ignored, especially the issues of early diagnosis and intervention. The purpose of this article is to highlight issues of first-episode schizophrenia for the family physician and to discuss diagnosis, neuropsychiatry research, new medications, and family issues. Methods: To approach the issues of first-episode schizophrenia, we describe a case of a young woman who suffered her first episode of psychosis. Relevant literature related to the early stages of psychosis, including new pharmacologic treatments, is addressed. Results: This report of our patient, a 19-year-old woman, illustrates the problems of a long prodromal phase of her illness, the use of medications that might have worsened her condition, and the successful use of new antipsychotic medications. Her family's issues as the patient went through this phase of her illness and recovery are reviewed. Conclusions: Patients at the outset of a psychotic illness are frequently first seen by a family physician. Familiarity with current diagnostic criteria and effectiveness of new treatments can lead to improved detection and overall outcome.
AB - Backround: Psychotic illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar illness, are relatively common and clearly devastating diseases. Most scientific literature focuses on research and care of patients suffering from psychotic illnesses in the middle age-group; subsequently, the first episode or early stages of psychotic illnesses have been relatively ignored, especially the issues of early diagnosis and intervention. The purpose of this article is to highlight issues of first-episode schizophrenia for the family physician and to discuss diagnosis, neuropsychiatry research, new medications, and family issues. Methods: To approach the issues of first-episode schizophrenia, we describe a case of a young woman who suffered her first episode of psychosis. Relevant literature related to the early stages of psychosis, including new pharmacologic treatments, is addressed. Results: This report of our patient, a 19-year-old woman, illustrates the problems of a long prodromal phase of her illness, the use of medications that might have worsened her condition, and the successful use of new antipsychotic medications. Her family's issues as the patient went through this phase of her illness and recovery are reviewed. Conclusions: Patients at the outset of a psychotic illness are frequently first seen by a family physician. Familiarity with current diagnostic criteria and effectiveness of new treatments can lead to improved detection and overall outcome.
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U2 - 10.3122/15572625-13-6-430
DO - 10.3122/15572625-13-6-430
M3 - Article
C2 - 11117340
AN - SCOPUS:0342467843
SN - 0893-8652
VL - 13
SP - 430
EP - 439
JO - Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
JF - Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
IS - 6
ER -