The greater the length of time between a first episode of psychotic illness and the affected person receiving treatment, the worse the long-term outcome, a major psychiatric conference was told yesterday.
At present the average delay between onset of psychosis and first treatment is two years.
Research showing the negative effects of a delayed diagnosis of schizophrenia and other psychotic illness was described by Dr Eadbhard O'Callaghan, a consultant psychiatrist at Cluain Mhuire and St John of God's Hospital, Dublin, and professor of mental health research at University College Dublin.
"Our research shows that following an episode of psychosis in a young person, the normal development of relationships and occupational functioning stops with disability ongoing aggressively in the first three years," he told the annual general meeting of the Irish Psychiatric Association.
"As a result of cognitive decline there is a loss of social integration," he said.
However, research carried out in Norway and Australia has shown that an early intervention programme can reduce the length of psychosis by up to 70 per cent. He described a collaborative effort involving Cluain Mhuire and other providers of mental health services, the East Coast Area Health Board and Schizophrenia Ireland to provide an early intervention programme based on the latest research.
"By intervening early and providing phase-specific treatment we think we can provide more cost effective care," he said.
The proposed early intervention team will ensure speedy detection and referral and will provide prompt specialised care through the initial three year period after diagnosis to patients and their families.
Dr Siobhan Barry, consultant psychiatrist at Cluain Mhuire, told The Irish Times: "It will offer a home-based treatment option and avoid unnecessary psychiatric hospitalisation."