Caring for the caregivers: mental health of health workers

Literature is revised on the basics and the evidence that would support an early detection intervention for the first psychotic episode. There is enough evidence to support that during the first psychotic episode there are important neurobiological and psychosocial changes, which considerably determine the future prognosis, especially as regards the overall performance and the levels of disability ("critical period hypothesis"). In turn, there is evidence supporting that less untreated psychosis time during the first period is associated with a better prognosis. This has lead to the development of interventions to allow for detection as early as possible from the onset of the first psychosis symptoms. The results obtained (all in developed countries) show a marked improvement in the untreated psychosis time, in recovery and prognosis of the disease and in reduction of associated risks (such as drug abuse and suicide). Based on these antecedents, the WHO has recommended that the countries should adopt policies on the issue, focused on early detection in individuals with psychotic episodes.