["Early detection of schizophrenia, why and who to contact?"]

"Early detection Of schizophrenia, why and who to contact? Schizophrenia usually occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood but is generally preceded by a prodromal phase or by a "high risk mental state" which corresponds to the onset of the disease. Early detection of symptoms and rapid specialized intervention begin at this stage. Medical intervention at this stage aims to influence the course of the disease and to limit the transition to a first-episode psychosis (FEP). Patients with FEP will require initiation of antipsychotic treatment. A long delay before antipsychotic treatment initiation will negatively impact the short and long term outcomes: more severe symptoms, worse treatment response and less global functioning. Early detection of schizophrenia involves general practitioners who will be firstly solicited by patients and their families. Patient should then be addressed without any delay to specialized psychiatric teams."