Research on First-episode Psychosis: Report on a National Institute of Mental Health Workshop

The need to focus increased research on patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis was emphasized in A National Plan for Schizophrenia Research. To develop strategies for enhancing research in this area, a National Institute of Mental Health Workshop on First-Episode Psychosis was held in 1991. The topics discussed at that workshop are summarized, with key issues including the following: 1) the need for better operational definitions on onset, end of an episode, and relapse of psychosis; 2) careful consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria related to age, gender, prior treatment, comorbid substance abuse, and similar issues