Cognitive Assessment of Duration of Untreated Psychosis (DUP)

Description

Page: 653-655

V. S. Selvam (Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Rehabilitation and Behavioural Science College, Vinayaka Missions Medical College Hospital, Karaikal, UT of Puducherry)

The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is the time between the first signs of psychotic symptoms and the start of treatment. Research shows that a longer DUP can lead to worse outcomes, such as problems with thinking, memory, and daily functioning. Early treatment is important to reduce these negative effects and support better recovery. The purpose of our study was to identify the cognitive impairment of DUP. To assess the cognition level of DUP patients using the schizophrenia cognition rating scale who came for psychotherapeutic intervention to the clinical psychology department for more than one year. The sample was collected from the Clinical Psychology department at the School of Rehabilitation and Behavioral Science, College of Vinayaka Missions, Medical College Hospital, Karaikal, from November 2023 to May 2025. It includes 10 samples based on purposive sampling techniques with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The result showed predominantly female, aged between 16 and 30years, married, a homemaker, rural background, educated, and a family history of psychiatric illness. The analysis revealed overall cognitive impairment at 65%. The global severity was rated at 60% by informants, 50% by patients, and global functioning ranged between 5060%. Overall, cognitive domains showed severe impairment in social cognition, attention/vigilance, and reasoning/problem-solving, with moderate impairment in processing speed, verbal learning and memory, and working memory.