Early intervention in increased risk for schizophrenic illnesses. Multimodal psychotherapy--antipsychotic drugs only in treatment failure
Wieneke, A.; Bechdolf, A.; Schultze-Lutter, F.
MMW Fortschritte der Medizin 142(10): 30-32
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 1438-3276 PMID: 10748600 Document Number: 518206
Interventional strategies for the prodromal phase of schizophrenia are based largely on treatment concepts that have already been shown to be effective for the prevention of relapses. Such a multimodal concept for early psychotherapeutic intervention has been developed at the psychiatric department of the University of Cologne. This model emphasizes individual symptom-oriented cognitive/behavioral treatment and psychoeducation directed both to the patient and his/her contact person(s). In addition, stress and symptom management, training of social skills and computer-aided cognitive training tailored to individual needs are also offered. In contrast, pharmacological treatment is considered only when, despite the above-mentioned strategy, the clinical picture worsens appreciably and attenuated psychotic symptoms have appeared.