Early intervention in schizophrenia: theoretical background and clinical strategies

Clinical observation and retrospective studies have provided considerable information as to the nature of decompensation into acute schizophrenic illness. These themes have been further developed in studies designed to reduce overall exposure to neuroleptics whilst maintaining adequate prophylaxis against relapse. This review extracts from the literature information which could be harnessed to prevent, abort or ameliorate florid schizophrenic relapse. Emphasis is laid upon the coordination of psychological and medical approaches, describing in some detail both the theoretical background and practical intervention strategies in development, and exploring their implications for the role of clinical psychologists.