EARLY INTERVENTION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

The management of schizophrenia may be characterised by two paradigms. The first approaches the schizophrenias as episodic relapsing disorde rs, where treatment is provided through both acute (crisis) care and t o achieve prophylaxis. The second paradigm, sometimes arising from a f ailure of the first, is of ''rehabilitation'', involving amelioration of disabilities, occasionally within a framework of relative asylum. W e would propose a third paradigm of ''early intervention'', involving a combination of medical and psychosocial interventions targeted at yo ung, vulnerable people with the aim of preventing or limiting likely s ocial, psychological and mental deterioration. Vigorous intervention e arly in the course of illness, early recognition and treatment of rela pse and the promotion of psychological adjustment to psychotic illness are proposed as key elements of this third paradigm.