School of Medicine

May 25, 2004

Contact: Andrea Gresko
             313-577-1872
             agresko@med.wayne.edu

New Schizophrenia program focuses on those in early stages of illness

University Psychiatric Centers (UPC) is now offering hope to those who have just recently begun to suffer the symptoms of Schizophrenia.

The staff of the Services for the Treatment in Early Psychoses (STEP) Program is working diligently to create a well-rounded, all-inclusive treatment program for persons experiencing psychotic symptoms – unusual experiences and/or beliefs -- for the first time or within the last few years.

The program, led by Drs. R.P. Rajarethinam and Matcheri Keshavan, was designed to provide needed early intervention to those living in metro Detroit.

“What led us to create this program was the realization that recent advances in the understanding of the rationale and approaches of the early intervention in psychotic disorders and their tremendous potential to help patients in a timely manner need to be applied to develop innovative care for needy population such as in Detroit,” Dr. Keshavan said.

Dr. Keshavan is an internationally renowned expert in research and clinical services for early psychosis. He is moving from University of Pittsburgh to take up a position as Associate Chairman for Research in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences of Wayne State University.

University Psychiatric Centers is planning to offer this comprehensive treatment program that provides a full continuum of care delivered by an experienced team of psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, nurses, and other allied health professionals.

Rajarethinam said that if Schizophrenia can be treated in its early stages that it might overall reduce severe and long-term suffering and disability usually associated with this debilitating mental illness.

“We make efforts to identify these illnesses early and treat intensively for at least two years or more with a hope that we can prevent lasting damage. We would also make efforts to identify individuals at increased risk for this illness such as individuals with a family history of psychoses so that early diagnosis can be ensured,” he said.

For more information on the Services for the Treatment in Early Psychoses (STEP) Program, or any of UPCs clinical services, please call 1 (888) 362-7792. Clinicians are available for comments on this subject and other related issues. This program will take persons with recent history of psychotic symptoms (less than one year) with or without any health insurance.

Editor’s Note: UPC/PBMP is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Wayne State University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences. It has been providing mental health and substance abuse treatment services throughout the Detroit metropolitan area since 1994. Outpatient programs are accredited by CARF. We accept most insurances.

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