Early intervention and prevention in schizophrenia--experiences from a study in Stavanger, Norway

The paper gives an overview of current literature and research that makes the foundation and rationale for early intervention in functional psychosis, i.e. schizophrenia. The duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and its practical implications are demonstrated. An outline of the prerequisites of the psychiatric services and the societal preconditions for effective early intervention strategies is given. The development of working clinical treatment programmes within the county of Rogaland, Norway, is described, as well as strategies towards enhancing the knowledge of serious psychiatric disorders among the population and thus making the foundation for effective and early help-seeking. The different resistance factors in relation to early intervention are introduced. Preliminary results of an early intervention is presented, indicating that it is possible to shorten DUP (from 114 to 20 weeks), and showing that DUP is the single most important predictor for poor prognosis.