Quality of Life in First-Episode Psychosis

First-episode psychosis marks a critical juncture in the course of severe mental illness, during which individuals typically experience their first acute symptoms of psychosis and begin treatment. Quality of life (QoL) in this context encompasses subjective assessments of physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships and environmental circumstances. Research over the past decade has shown that QoL in first-episode psychosis is influenced not only by positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions but also by negative and affective symptoms, social functioning, economic stability and physical health parameters. Early intervention services that combine pharmacological treatment with psychosocial support, vocational rehabilitation and lifestyle interventions can mitigate declines in QoL and foster recovery. Globally, this focus has encouraged integrated care models that address psychiatric symptoms alongside metabolic and social factors, emphasising that improving QoL in first-episode psychosis requires a holistic, person-centred approach.

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Quality of Life in First-Episode Psychosis publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in quality of life in first-episode psychosis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

First-episode psychosis (FEP): The first clinical presentation of psychotic symptoms in an individual, often leading to diagnosis and treatment initiation.

Quality of life (QoL): A multidimensional construct reflecting subjective evaluations of physical health, psychological state, social relationships and environmental context.

Negative symptoms: Features of psychosis including diminished emotional expression, avolition and social withdrawal, which significantly impact daily functioning and well-being.

Metabolic syndrome: A cluster of conditions (e.g., increased waist circumference, elevated blood pressure, dyslipidaemia) associated with heightened physical health risks and potential effects on QoL.

Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP): The time interval between onset of psychotic symptoms and the initiation of appropriate treatment, often linked to prognosis and QoL outcomes.

References

1. Influence of psychopathology and metabolic parameters on quality of life in patients with first-episode psychosis before and after initial antipsychotic treatment. Schizophrenia (2023).
2. Quality of life and its predictors in first-episode schizophrenia and individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis. BMC Psychiatry (2023).
3. Heterogeneity of quality of life in the later stages of first-episode psychosis recovery. Quality of Life Research (2022).