Early Psychosis: Treatment Issues and the Role of Occupational Therapy

Research has demonstrated that the establishment of early intervention services within mental health organisations is an effective method of reducing the impact of psychosis on a young person's life. The research literature and available clinical practice guidelines describe key intervention areas that have an impact on the effectiveness of the early intervention service. These include: comprehensive assessment, social functioning, weight control, substance misuse and vocational recovery. Early intervention services can develop effective programmes to address these areas.

The occupational therapist can have a defined role in this setting, primarily across the three domains of assessment, intervention and advocacy. Effective assessment by an occupational therapist provides information on the occupational role functioning of a young person. Intervention services provide consultative and direct treatment to assist the young person in engaging in developmentally and culturally appropriate occupational roles. Advocacy involves educating members of the multidisciplinary mental health team about the role and potential outcomes of occupational therapy. By assessing, intervening and advocating for young people with early psychosis, individual therapists can contribute to developing a central role for occupational therapy in the field of early psychosis.