Symptom assessment in schizophrenic prodromal states

Citation
Tj. Miller et al., Symptom assessment in schizophrenic prodromal states, PSYCHIAT Q, 70(4), 1999, pp. 273-287
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry
Journal title
PSYCHIATRIC QUARTERLY
ISSN journal
00332720 → ACNP
Volume
70
Issue
4
Year of publication
1999
Pages
273 - 287
Database
ISI
SICI code
0033-2720(199924)70:4<273:SAISPS>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
Individuals who develop schizophrenia often suffer long standing deficits. All too often available treatments remain palliative and do not improve the long-term course of illness. The neurobiological deficits associated with the onset of schizophrenia may be most active and damaging in the early sta ges of this life long illness, a fact which has shifted the focus of resear ch and clinical work: toward the early or prodromal stages of this disorder . Results from limited studies suggest that early intervention may lead to a better prognosis. Early interventions that could delay or prevent the ons et of psychotic illnesses have obvious public health implications and rely on being able to identify true prodromal patients. The Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms and the Scale of Prodromal Symptoms are assessment instruments developed for operationally defining diagnosis and for quantita tively rating symptom severity for patients prodromal for psychosis.