scholarly journals Substance use in a population-based clinic sample of people with first-episode psychosis

2007 ◽  
Vol 190 (6) ◽  
pp. 515-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer H. Barnett ◽  
Ursula Werners ◽  
Sandra M. Secher ◽  
Katherine E. Hill ◽  
Rossa Brazil ◽  
...  

BackgroundSubstance use is implicated in the cause and course of psychosis.AimsTo characterise substance and alcohol use in an epidemiologically representative treatment sample of people experiencing a first psychotic episode in south Cambridgeshire.MethodCurrent and lifetime substance use was recorded for 123 consecutive referrals to a specialist early intervention service. Substance use was compared with general population prevalence estimates from the British Crime Survey.ResultsSubstance use among people with first-episode psychosis was twice that of the general population and was more common in men than women. Cannabis abuse was reported in 51% of patients (n=62) and alcohol abuse in 43% (n=53). More than half (n=68, 55%) had used Class A drugs, and 38% (n=43) reported polysubstance abuse. Age at first use of cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamine was significantly associated with age at first psychotic symptom.ConclusionsSubstance misuse is present in the majority of people with first-episode psychosis and has major implications for management. The association between age at first substance use and first psychotic symptoms has public health implications.

2001 ◽  
Vol 178 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Milton ◽  
Shazad Amin ◽  
Swaran P. Singh ◽  
Glynn Harrison ◽  
Peter Jones ◽  
...  

BackgroundRecent research has reported increased risk of aggressive incidents by individuals with psychotic illness.AimsTo examine acts of aggression in first-episode psychosis.MethodSubjects with a first-episode psychosis were ascertained from a defined catchment area (Nottingham, UK) and reassessed at 3 years (n=166) using clinical interview, informants, health care and forensic records.ResultsOf the subjects, 9.6% demonstrated at least one act of serious aggression (defined as weapon use, sexual assault or victim injury) during at least one psychotic episode and 23.5% demonstrated lesser acts of aggression (defined as all other acts of aggression). For all aggressive subjects (33.1%), unemployment (OR=3.6, 95%CI 1.6–8.0), comorbid substance misuse (OR=3.1, CI 1.1–8.8) and symptoms of overactivity at service contact (OR=6.9, CI 2.7–17.8) had independent effects on risk of aggression.ConclusionsWe confirmed some previously reported demographic and clinical associations with aggression in first-episode psychosis but no relationship with specific psychotic symptoms or diagnostic groups was observed.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e046593
Author(s):  
Usha Chhagan ◽  
Vuyokazi Ntlantsana ◽  
Andrew Tomita ◽  
Thirusha Naidu ◽  
Bonginkosi Chiliza ◽  
...  

IntroductionSouth Africa (SA) has a high HIV prevalence and limited mental healthcare resources. Neuropsychiatric complications such as psychosis onset in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) remains poorly understood. The study aims to compare the socio-demographic, clinical, substance use, cognitive and trauma profile of PLWHIV presenting with first episode psychosis (FEP) to those with the condition but without HIV.Methods and analysisThis study will compare presentation, course, and outcome of a cohort of PLWHIV and FEP with a control group recruited over a 3-year period. We will prospectively test the hypothesis that the 2 groups are socio-demographically, clinically and cognitively distinct at illness presentation, with higher trauma burden and poorer outcomes in those with the dual burden of HIV and FEP. FEP participants, confirmed by a structured neuropsychiatric interview, will have their socio-demographic, psychosis, mood, motor, trauma and substance use variables assessed. A neuropsychological battery will be completed to assess cognition, while quality of life, psychotic symptoms and HIV markers will be measured at 3, 6 and 12 months.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol has been reviewed and ethics approval obtained from the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BC 571/18) of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The results from this investigation will be actively disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-42
Author(s):  
B.D. Karki ◽  
D. Joshi ◽  
A.P. Adhikari

Introduction: First episode psychosis refers to the first time someone experiences psychotic symptoms or a psychotic episode. There are evidences related to the role of major life events and childhood trauma in the development of first episode psychosis. There are few studies regarding the environmental exposure to stressful life events and how these events might influence the onset of a psychotic disorder, and role of perceived stress. This study aimed to identify the relationship between stressful life events and first episode psychosis in Nepalese context. Material And Method: It was a hospital based cross-sectional, descriptive study. A total of 50 cases of first episode psychosis were included and the diagnosis was made according to ICD 10- Diagnostic Criteria for Research and verified by two consultant psychiatrists. Semi Structured Performa was designed to collect the information about the socio demographic data and perceived stress was assessed with Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES). Results: There were 62% female and 38% male patients with first episode psychosis with mean age 26.32 years. Majority of the participants were from rural areas (94%), married (58%), educated up to primary level (38%) and housewife (40%). 60.7% of ATPD had stressful life events (P =0. 000)which was higher than the stressful life events in patient with Schizophrenia (P =0. 005). There was a positive correlation between stressful life events and gender, setting, socioeconomic status and Diagnosis (P <0.05). Conclusion: Results show the relevance of presence of stressful life events as a potent source of perceived stress in first episode psychosis sample. Therefore this study highlights the importance of psychosocial intervention in this vulnerable group for management of illness and might be an important strategy for prevention.


1996 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. Yung ◽  
Patrick D. McGorry

Objective: This study aimed to describe in detail, using a retrospective approach, the prodromal symptoms in first-episode psychosis patients. This initial prodrome, the period of disturbance preceding a first psychotic episode, is potentially important for early intervention, identification of biological markers, and understanding the process of becoming psychotic. Method: A consecutive series of 21 first-episode patients was recruited from the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre, a specialised service for young people aged between 16 and 30 with first-episode psychosis. Subjects were interviewed in the recovery phase after the acute episode, about the period leading up to the psychosis, using a combination of unstructured and semi-structured techniques. Results: A wide variability of phenomena and sequence patterns was found, with symptoms being a mixture of attenuated psychotic symptoms, neurotic and mood-related symptoms, and behavioural changes. Symptoms were often disabling and some, such as suicidal thoughts, potentially life-threatening. Conclusions: The findings highlight the loss of information that has resulted from disregarding early phenomenological studies of the psychotic prodrome and instead focussing on behavioural features. The ground work has been laid for the development of better methodologies for assessing and measuring first psychotic prodromes with increased emphasis on experiential phenomena. This has the potential to lead to the early recognition and more accurate prediction of subsequent psychosis, as well as a deeper understanding of the neurobiology of the onset of psychotic disorder.


2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 892-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darryl Wade ◽  
Susy Harrigan ◽  
Jane Edwards ◽  
Philip M. Burgess ◽  
Greg Whelan ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate the patterns and predictors of substance use disorders (SUD) and daily tobacco use in first-episode psychosis (FEP). Method: In this study, consecutive admissions of 126 patients with an initial presentation for FEP were recruited from three psychiatric services. Each patient was assessed with a comprehensive assessment package in order to collect demographic information, to diagnose psychotic disorders and SUD, to estimate the duration of untreated psychosis and to assess premorbid functioning and the severity of psychiatric symptoms. Results: The rates of lifetime SUD and daily tobacco use were 71% and 77%, respectively. The onset of SUD pre-dated the onset of positive psychotic symptoms in 91% of relevant cases. In multivariate analyses, male gender, younger age, Australian birth and unemployed status were the most consistent demographic predictors of SUD and daily tobacco use. There were no associations found between SUD and symptom severity, premorbid adjustment, psychotic disorder diagnosis or hospitalization. Conclusions: Male gender and younger age are reliable predictors of SUD in FEP. Patients with and without SUD appear to have similar clinical characteristics at initial presentation.


2001 ◽  
Vol 178 (6) ◽  
pp. 518-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Sipos ◽  
Glynn Harrison ◽  
David Gunnell ◽  
Shazad Amin ◽  
Swaran P. Singh

BackgroundLittle is known about predictors of hospitalisation in patients with first-episode psychosis.AimsTo identify the pattern and predictors of hospitalisation of patients with a first psychotic episode making their first contact with specialist services.MethodThree-year follow-up of a cohort of 166 patients with a first episode of psychosis making contact with psychiatric services in Nottingham between June 1992 and May 1994.ResultsEighty-eight (53.0%) patients were admitted within 1 week of presentation; 32 (19.3%) were never admitted during the 3 years of follow-up. Manic symptoms at presentation were associated with an increased risk of rapid admission and an increased overall risk of admission; negative symptoms and a longer duration of untreated illness had an increased risk of late admission.ConclusionsCommunity-oriented psychiatric services might only delay, rather than prevent, admission of patients with predominantly negative symptoms and a longer duration of untreated illness. First-episode studies based upon first admissions are likely to be subject to selection biases, which may limit their representativeness.


2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232199344
Author(s):  
Oladunni Oluwoye ◽  
Elizabeth Fraser

In this qualitative study, we explore providers’ experiences with addressing substance use among individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) enrolled in coordinated specialty care (CSC) programs. Three focus groups were conducted with 24 providers from CSC programs for FEP in Washington. Questions were focused on barriers and facilitators to addressing substance use using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) as a guide. Thematic analysis was used to code all transcripts. Identified TDF domains were then mapped onto the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior) intervention functions and behavior change techniques. Seven theoretical domains were identified as the most relevant to addressing substance use: “Knowledge,” “Skills,” “Environmental Context and Resources,” “Social Influences,” “Social and Professional Role and Identity,” “Beliefs about Capabilities,” and “Reinforcement.” The use of the TDF provides a framework to explore barriers and facilitators for targeting substance use and suggestions for behavior change techniques when considering implementation of evidence-based strategies to enhance CSC models.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. e240088
Author(s):  
Peter M Haddad ◽  
Majid Al Abdulla ◽  
Javed Latoo ◽  
Yousaf Iqbal

A 30-year-old man with no significant previous or family psychiatric history became severely anxious about his health after a positive COVID-19 test. Physical symptoms of COVID-19 were mild, with no evidence of hypoxia or pneumonia, throughout his illness. He was admitted to a quarantine facility. He remained highly anxious, and 1 week later, he developed paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations (his first psychotic episode). He was treated with lorazepam 1 mg four times a day, mirtazapine 30 mg nocte and risperidone 1 mg two times a day. His psychotic symptoms lasted 1 week. He stopped psychiatric medication after 4 weeks and had remained well when reviewed 3 months later. A Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder with marked stressor (brief reactive psychosis) was made. Anxiety about his health and social isolation appeared the main aetiological factors but an inflammatory component cannot be excluded. The case highlights that first episode psychosis can be associated with mild COVID-19.


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