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Psychosis Early Detection and Intervention Centre

Early detection of psychoses

Before a psychosis fully develops, many patients pass through two phases:

1. The prodromal phase:
The beginning of the prodromal phase is often marked by symptoms such as anxiety, depressive mood, social withdrawal, weak concentration and a decline of efficiency. Moreover, first acoustic hallucinations in the form of hearing voices and first convictions of being watched, supervised or even threatened by other people might occur.

2. The phase of untreated psychosis:
The phase of untreated psychosis begins with continuous hallucinations and delusions and ends with treatment initiation. If this phase is too long, it might have negative effects on treatment success.

It is important to identify the psychosis at an early stage:

• If the illness is identified in the prodromal phase, it might be attempted to prevent full development of the illness.
• If the illness is identified early in the phase of untreated psychosis, it is possible to improve the chance of recovery.

Specific needs

Patients with a developing psychosis or a first psychosis have specific needs:

• Most often, these patients are very young. On average, they are 20 years old, and about 20% are still adolescents.
• In most cases, the patient is still a student or in apprenticeship.
• Many patients additionally have an addiction problem, most often related to cannabis or alcohol.
• Many patients still live at home with their parents or they live with friends.
• In many cases, first symptoms of illness induced patients to reduce their contacts with other people; their efficiency declined, they had problems at school, training or profession, and their relatives and friends have great problems understanding their changed behaviour.

Project of early detection and treatment of psychosis (PEB)

The PEB has following tasks:

• Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of potential prodromal symptoms and first psychoses in adolescents and young adults
• Coordination of support and treatment for all patients depending on their age: 
• for patients at the prodromal or first psychosis stage aged over 16-30 years,  referral to specific offers of the psychosis centre of the UKE, a.o. personal care management, group offers and a specialised day clinic.
• for patients at the prodromal or first psychosis stage aged over 12-17 years, outpatient long-term treatment at the outpatient centre of the child and adolescent psychiatry of the UKE.

Who are the persons we address?

• Patients with doubtful developing or first psychosis
• Relatives and friends
• Teachers, psychological services at schools
• Practicing neurologists, therapists, family doctors, paediatrists or other medical colleagues 
• Staff of therapeutic institutions 
• Youth welfare services
• Addiction counselling services.

How you reach us

Adult Psychiatry of the UKE

PD Dr. Martin Lambert, senior physician
Prof. Dr. Thomas Book 
 
Consulting hours:
Every Monday 14.00 to 17.00 h
Every Tuesday 14.00 to 16.00 h
  
Telephone:(040) 7410 - 53236 or
in emergencies (0151) 10 33 54 45

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, House S15
Psychosis Outpatient Centre (SPA)
Martinistraße 52 in 20246 Hamburg

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the UKE

Dr. Sascha Hoffmann, senior physician
 
Telephone: (040) 7410 - 57405 or
 in emergencies (0151) 10 33 54 45

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
Department of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, House S30
Martinistraße 52 in 20246 Hamburg