Individual psychotherapy may help to reduce suicidal ideation in first episode psychosis: results from a 2-year Italian follow-up study

Abstract

IntroductionSuicidal thinking is relevant in patients with First Episode Psychosis (FEP). However, longitudinal studies specifically examining treatment response for suicidal ideation in FEP are still relatively scarce, especially with long-term design and in real-world clinical settings.ObjectivesThe aims of this research were (A) to longitudinally assess suicidal thoughts in people with FEP along a 2-year follow-up period and (B) to overtime investigate any significant association of suicidal ideation levels with the specific treatment components of an ‘Early Intervention in Psychosis’ (EIP) protocol along the 2 years of follow-up.MethodsAt entry, 232 FEP participants (aged 12–35 years) completed the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), including a ‘Suicidality’ item subscore. Multiple linear regression analysis was then performed.ResultsAcross the follow-up, FEP subjects showed a relevant decrease in suicidal thinking levels overtime. This was specifically predicted by the total number of individual psychotherapy sessions offered within the 2-year EIP protocol and antidepressant dose (at least as regards the first year of our intervention).Image:ConclusionsSuicidal ideation is clinically relevant in FEP but seems to improve overtime together with the provision of specific, patient-tailored and integrated EIP treatments, especially individual psychotherapy.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared