Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Έγκαιρη Παρέμβαση στην ΨύχωσηLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Supervisors info:
Σοφία Μαρτινάκη, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Κοινωνικής Εργασίας, Πανεπιστήμιο Δυτικής Αττικής, Επιβλέπουσα
Βασίλης Μασδράκης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολής, ΕΚΠΑ
Κωνσταντίνος Κοντοάγγελος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Η σημασία της έγκαιρης επαφής με υπηρεσίες ψυχικής υγείας και η επίδραση της στη διάρκεια Μη Θεραπευόμενης Ψύχωσης (ΜΘΨ)
Translated title:
The importance of early contact with mental health services and its impact on the Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP)
Summary:
Introduction: This study investigates the care pathway of individuals experiencing a First Psychotic Episode (FPE) who were admitted to the Early Intervention Units for Psychosis (EIP) “Piraeus 33” and “PNOES Ath.” The primary objective was to identify potential delays in accessing mental health services and to assess the Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP).
Methodology: This research adopts a retrospective cohort design. The study sample consisted of 60 individuals, aged 17 to 35 years, who experienced a First Psychotic Episode (FPE) within five years of the onset of psychosis. Data collection was conducted through the completion of a demographic questionnaire and a comprehensive review of medical records to document the DUP and Help-Seeking Events (HSE).
Results: The mean duration of DUP was 30.62 weeks. 67.6% of participants sought help and received a referral to an Early Intervention Unit for Psychosis within 12 weeks of symptom onset, with an average waiting time for assessment of 3.83 days. Notably, 73.3% of the initial help-seeking events were initiated by first-degree relatives, while a significant proportion (33.3%) identified the police as their first point of contact. No significant correlations were observed between demographic characteristics and the Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP).
Conclusions: The findings underscore the crucial role of timely help-seeking behavior in reducing the Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) and improving clinical outcomes. Additionally, they provide preliminary, indirect evidence regarding the impact and functioning of the newly established services within Greek society.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
First Psychotic Episode (FEP) , Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP) , Early Intervention Units, Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP), Help-Seeking Events (HSE)
