Early intervention programs for first-episode psychosis are based on the theory that:

hearing voices or experiencing tactile sensations is culturally viewed as a pathological condition to be treated by mental health professionals.

early intervention can replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts decreasing the disease progression.

early intervention will help decrease the risk for nonadherence and other factors associated with relapse and recurrence.

repeated episodes of psychosis are toxic to the brain, producing debilitating cognitive effects that can be minimized with early treatment.