Early intervention in psychosis. How can it be useful? A catamnestic study in an Italian Community Mental Health Center

Objective: Early intervention demonstrates that, when psychotic symptoms are treated early, a higher therapeutic success rate is guaranteed. Besides, this kind of treatment maximizes the effectiveness of the interventions. The study aims to identify innovative therapeutic and assistance treatment and to investigate the effects of an integrated and multidimensional treatment after one year on subjects at risk mental states. Methods: This catamnestic study observed 30 young patients during one year of treatment, comparing the standard care protocol with a specialized early intervention named TR-43 Project. The therapeutic course and outcome were evaluated through the consultations of subjects’ medical records and the administration of the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). Results: The entire group presented a statistically significant GAF score increase. The TR-43 Project staff showed a more consistent presence of professionals complementary to the psychiatrist. Conclusions: The positive outcome observed in the whole group attested appropriate patient management, while the lower presence of the psychiatrist observed in the TR-43 staff is likely useful to prevent patients’ medicalization. An integrated and multidimensional treatment, such as the TR-43 Project, can produce better clinical outcomes than a generic one.