Early Detection and Cognitive Therapy for People at High Risk of Developing Psychosis
A Treatment Approach
Chapter One
THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY
RECOGNITION
RATIONALE
The length of time between the onset of psychotic symptoms and the subsequent
detection, diagnosis and commencement of treatment has been termed the Duration
of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) and is conceptualised as a treatment lag. The average
length of DUP has been found to be approximately one year (Barnes et al., 2000;
Beiser et al., 1993; Hafner et al., 1994; Loebel et al., 1992; McGorry et al., 1996)
(see Figure 1.1). This is a fairly robust finding and these studies have been replicated
in different countries and health settings indicating that the finding is generalisable.
However, these studies report the mean DUP, which may lead to overestimates. If the
median DUP is examined, then this gives a lower figure of 12 weeks (Drake et al.,
2000). This indicates that DUP for the majority is around three months but some
statistical outliers substantially increase the mean. Therefore DUP now tends to be
calculated using both the ... read full excerpt from Early Detection and Cognitive Therapy for People at High Risk of Developing Psychosis: A Treatment Approach ebook
