title: Group cognitive behavioural therapy as a treatment for negative symptoms in first-episode psychosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to test the idea that there is an early critical time period during a psychotic illness when patients may be more responsive to psychological treatment attention.
  
  
  METHODS
  We tested this hypothesis by comparing the treatment responsiveness to group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) of 25 first-episode psychosis participants (FEP) and 15 patients with currently stable psychosis (n = 40).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following 12 sessions of outpatient-based group CBT, there were significant decreases in positive, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and an improvement in quality of life for both groups. However, negative symptoms only improved in the FEP group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the pernicious nature of negative symptoms as well as the difficulties in treating them, this study provides some support for the concept of early intervention with CBT.
authors.affiliation: Schools of Psychology, University College Dublin Cluain Mhuire Service, Blackrock, Ireland. keith.gaynor@gmail.com
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gaynor
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dooley
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lawlor
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lawoyin
authors.forename: Eadbhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Callaghan
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D013997:Time Factors