Outcome after discharge from an early psychosis program.

Studies defining the course and outcome of individuals experiencing their first episode (FE) of psychosis generally report an improvement in symptoms and functioning. Today, many FE patients are treated in specialized early psychosis programs. Little is known what happens to these individuals after discharge from these programs back to regular services. We report here on the outcomes of the first 200 subjects admitted to a three year specialized first episode service who could be contacted for assessments between 1 and 2 years after discharge. Approximately 50% of those initially assessed in a first episode service were able to be followed for up to 5 years. Results were that, although there was no further improvement in positive symptoms, there was continued improvement in social functioning and signs of improvement in negative symptoms.