Psychosocial Interventions in Psychosis & Bipolar

Psychosocial Interventions in Psychosis & Bipolar

• Research focuses on difficulties in the lives of individuals with psychosis/bipolar, improving prognosis, recovery, social participation, and quality of life.

Course of Psychosis/Schizophrenia

• Lally et al (2017) review of psychosis outcome after first onset:
  • Remission (improvement after initial episode) rate is 58%.
  • Recovery (2 years of good functioning and few symptoms) rate is 38%.
  • Higher recovery rates in the USA, lower rates in Europe.
  • Lower/middle-income countries show better outcomes.
• Huxley et al (2021) found prognosis for first episode psychosis is better than in the 20th century, but annual remission rates are declining.

Course of Bipolar

• Research on bipolar course is limited due to diagnostic challenges.
• Most individuals have a relapsing/remitting course, meaning episodes throughout life.
• A stage model is emerging:
  • 15% chronically unwell.
  • 16% in remission for five years.
  • Median time unwell (20%-44%).

Challenges

• Limited evidence of substantial progress since antipsychotic development.
• Interventions need to target clinical populations, not just trial participants.

Causes of Slow Progress

• Neuroscience/pharmacology: Still waiting for breakthroughs.
• Psychology: Interventions show small benefits but struggle to be implemented.
• Innovative service models show benefits (e.g., EI) but primarily short-term.
• Implementation gap: Results from research struggle to reach clinical practice.
• Social determinants: Impacts of austerity/inequality are hard to mitigate.
• Social injustice and lack of compassion are problematic.
• Stigma remains.

Improving Outcomes

• Implementing existing knowledge is crucial.
• Current mental health care lacks consistent implementation of evidence-based interventions.
• Implementation failures hinder progress.

Explore the challenges faced by individuals with psychosis and bipolar disorders. This quiz covers research findings on their prognosis, recovery, and quality of life through psychosocial interventions. Gain insights into the course of these mental health conditions and their outcomes across different regions.