Philippe Conus1; 1Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
Over the last 20 years, numerous programs for early intervention in psychosis have developed. Although their structure may differ according to the context in which they are implanted, mental health professionals working in these setting are usually faced with very similar challenges. There are globally 2 main issues to be resolved. The first one is to engage young patients, including those with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, who are often reluctant to receive treatment. We suggest that this this can be assisted though organizational strategies, specific engagement techniques, and by providing interventions that target factors known to be linked with increased risk of disengagement. The second is to promote the development of insight, which is not only an aim but also a subtle therapeutic process. In this talk we will describe these various strategies through the example of TIPP, an early intervention program implanted in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2004. TIPP has treated more than 600 patients, over a three-year treatment period, many of whom have experienced mania, having achieved a disengagement rate of less than 5%.
