["Soteria Bern." Initial experiences with a new milieu therapy for acutely schizophrenic patients]

The authors report first clinical experiences with 28 schizophrenic patients who were treated and socially rehabilitated by a specially selected team in a small, stimulus-protected, continuous, open and community-near environment (therapeutic community "Soteria Bern"). The therapeutic concept is based on the vulnerability- and information-processing hypothesis and on further psycho-, socio- and milieutherapeutic experiences with schizophrenics. Neuroleptic drugs were used in comparatively very small doses. With about 2/3 positive outcomes, the first results are encouraging. In a research project over several years they will be systematically compared with more traditional treatment strategies.