The importance of early detection and therapeutic intervention of mental health problems
APHRODITI ZARTALOUDI*, MICHAEL MADIANOS**
*PhD, MSc, RN, Sismanoglio General Hospital, Athens, Greece Department of Psychiatry
**Professor of Psychiatry, University of Athens

Background: An increasing focus on early stages of mental disorders underscores the importance of early detection and intervention in psychiatry. At this early stage individuals experience a period of non - psychotic disturbance which usually can be discerned as representing a change from some stable premorbid mode of experiencing and behaving but do not meet the diagnostic criteria of the disorder yet.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to explore the importance of early intervention in psychiatry. Method: A review of this body of literature was carried out. Evidence was collected through Medline database.

Results: Early intervention in psychotic disorders is increasingly seen as having the potential to produce better outcomes in these potentially disastrous conditions. Delays in initiating treatment are often prolonged and the duration of untreated disorder is associated with substantial functional decline and poorer quality of life.

Conclusion: It is therefore important to explore the factors related to help-seeking and access of individuals to initial assessment which could impact on delays and promote early detection and intervention of psychotic disorders. Encephalos 2010, 47(3):131-143.

Key words: Early detection; mental disorder; help seeking; delay.