A research review study by John Bola, assistant professor at the University of Southern California School of Social Work, found no solid evidence that untreated early episodes of psychosis cause long-term harm. This will undoubtedly stir controversy over the current American Psychiatric Association’s recommendation that schizophrenia patients receive antipsychotic drugs for at least the first year after diagnosis.

“There is a lack of good-quality evidence to support a conclusion that long-term harm results from short-term postponement of medication in early episode schizophrenia,” Bola said.

His analyzation of six studies regarding treatment of first and second-episode schizophrenia patients will be published in April.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 23 Mar 2006
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.