SCHIZOPHRENIAS - WHAT PREVENTION

Psychotic disorders, and especially schizophrenia, have to be consider ed as a major public health problem : these disorders are characterize d by a relatively high prevalence, an early age at onset, and a major negative impact on the social adjustment. Owing to the lack of definit e knowledge on the causal risk factors involved in the emergence of su ch disorders, it seems currently difficult to develop primary preventi ve programmes to reduce the incidence of these disorders. On the other hand, the secondary prevention of psychotic disorders is probably und er-developed. Some studies have suggested that the early recognition a nd treatment of psychotic disorders might improve the outcome. Several methodological problems limit the implementation of early interventio n programmes. However preliminary studies have at least demonstrated t he faisability of secondary prevention. It is nevertheless necessary t o confirm that such strategies have a positive impact on the long-term e course of the disorders, i.e. that they are able to modify the natur al history of these disorders.