Scientists Seek to Treat Warning Phase of Schizophrenia

2009-07-29 03:48:32 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Medical News, News)

Scientists seek new means of treating psychosis in its early stages.

Researchers are searching for ways to eradicate psychosis in its early stages.

Press Release Service – Wired PR News – Treating schizophrenia in its early stages may be the key to slowing the development of psychosis or loss of touch with reality. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), researchers have for years been trying to identify ways to treat schizophrenia in its “prodome,” or warning phase, which is said to generally occur when patients are teens or young adults. This stage may last for long or short periods, disappear, or reappear.

As noted in the report, the Portland Identification and Early Referral program (PIER) is one of 20 clinics in the U.S. that focuses on treatments for patients in the prodome stage. PIER practices non-drug treatment for its patients who range in ages 12 to 25, including group meetings, enlisting family support for day-to-day stress management, and facilitating communication with various contacts for continual social interaction. Scientists say these and other treatments are promising, but there has yet to be found a definitive way to prevent the development of psychosis.

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Photo Credit: Wikipedia Source Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, M.D., Ph.D., NIMH Clinical Brain Disorders Branch on the tree of life