Caregiver psychoeducation for first-episode psychosis.

Guidelines for the management of a first-episode of psychosis (FEP) by the International Early Psychosis Association (IEPA) have recommended family psychoeducation (PE) but there has been a dearth of evidence for this approach in FEP, although good evidence exists for PE in multi-episode families. McWilliams and colleagues offered 31 families a 6-week multi-family group program  of 90 minute sessions specifically designed for families dealing with a FEP covering terminology, diagnosis and prognosis; psychological processes in psychosis and the model of CBT; medication and biological aspects of psychosis; rehabilitation; insight; and relapse prevention with a focus on giving caregivers strategies to assist their family member. 

They measured families knowledge about psychotic illness and attitudes to treatment and the authors reported an increased knowledge with respect to psychosis in general and medication in particular. The study was limited in its lack of a control group  and use of dated questionnaires but nevertheless provides a starting point for the development an evidence based approach to PE in FEP. 

Eur Psychiatry. 2010 Jan;25(1):33-8. Epub 2009 Nov 18.
McWilliams S, Egan P, Jackson D, Renwick L, Foley S, Behan C, Fitzgerald E, Fetherston A, Turner N, Kinsella A, O'Callaghan E.