Mental health diagnoses during the year prior to schizophrenia, U.S. Armed Forces, 2001-2010

Identification of military members in the prodromal phase of schizophrenia may lead to earlier treatment and allow non-urgent transition away from military duties. This report documents the incidence of schizophrenia in the U.S. military and summarizes mental health diagnoses during the year prior to initial clinical diagnoses schizophrenia. During 2001-2010, 3,000 service members met the case definition of schizophrenia (incidence rate: 21 per 100,000 person-years). Rates declined with increasing age. Of those diagnosed with schizophrenia, 71% had at least one mental health-related medical encounter during the preceding 12 months; 51% received at least one antecedent diagnosis of paranoia. The findings may inform a model to predict the likelihood and timing of clinical manifestations of schizophrenia among U.S. military members.