Comparison of the Outcome and Treatment of Psychosis in People of Caribbean Origin Living in the Uk and British Whites

Abstract

The outcome of psychosis is complex but differs between UK African-Caribbeans and British Whites. This may reflect risk factors that increase the rate of psychosis in UK African-Caribbeans. Treatment differences require further investigation.

Utilising symptom dimensions with diagnostic categories improves prediction of time to first remission in first-episode psychosis

“…Age at first contact was defined as age at which a patient was first in contact with mental health services due to their psychotic symptoms (McKenzie et al, 2001). Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) was defined as the time between the date of appearance of the first psychotic symptom and the date of treatment with antipsychotic medications (Norman & Malla, 2001).…”

The extraordinary potential of primary care to improve mental health

“…10,11 They are more likely to receive antipsychotic medication and less likely to be offered psychotherapy. 12 Mental health of children remains an important gap in the current policy and recent initiatives and is not, at present, covered by the IAPT. The growing evidence for child health screening in preschool facilities and schools underlies government support for a child health promotion programme.…”

Towards consensus in the long-term management of relapse prevention in schizophrenia

“…It is known that stressful life events and increased emotional state can both trigger relapse and increase relapse rates (Butzlaff and Hooley, 1998;Nuechterlein et al, 1994). Psychosocial factors also have an effect, with socially isolated patients and those of lower socio-economic position having higher rates of relapse (Bland and Orn, 1980;McKenzie et al, 2001). Moreover, the inefficacy and poor tolerability of typical antipsychotic medication can be responsible for relapse (Gerlach, 2002;Tattan and Creed, 2001), as can non-concordance with treatment, which can be particularly difficult to assess and follow up in patients with schizophrenia (Oehl et al, 2000).…”