Early intervention in psychosis (EIPS)
Who are we?
We are health professionals who provide our service with Rethink (previously known as the National Schizophrenia Fellowship) and cover three areas:
- Dorchester and Bridport
- Weymouth and Portland
- Sherborne, Blandford and Shaftesbury
Our philosophy is:
To promote an individual's recovery from psychosis through early detection and more effective treatment at the beginning of the illness.
Our aims and goals
- early identification and treatment of psychosis
- promotion of early recovery
- minimisation of residual primary and secondary symptoms and relapse
- provide youth-friendly services emphasising social roles
- support family and friends
- promote personal control over psychosis
- referral pathways and acceptance criteria
Who can be referred?
All people between the ages of 14 to 35, referred to the service with a suspicion of psychosis will receive an assessment.
Individuals who have been assessed by the service will be taken onto caseload if they are:
- experiencing, or have recovered from, a functional psychotic illness,
AND they are within the first three years of their illness, OR they have begun treatment of their illness within the last year - individuals who, after assessment, are not suffering from a defined psychotic illness, but appear at high risk of progressing to psychosis. They will be offered follow-up and monitoring within three months
- individuals, who, after assessment, are suffering from a non-psychotic disorder, will be referred to other appropriate agencies
The Early Interventions in Psychosis Service will not take on individuals whose psychotic symptoms are the result of organic brain disorder or transient symptoms of drug intoxication or withdrawal.
Who can refer?
Referrals will be welcomed broadly from local Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTS), Youth Service and other youth organisations, Schools and other Educational Institutions, Children and Adolescent Mental Health Teams (CAMHS), General Practitioners, Carers, friends and from individuals themselves.
Why intervene early?
One certainty for people suffering from psychosis is that it can have devastating consequences for young people and their families.
Psychosis is the most debilitating of psychiatric disorders. However, it is similar to other common disorders, in that the chances of getting well are improved if treatment is started at the earliest possible stage.
