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What is the prodromal phase of psychotic disorders?
The development of full-syndrome schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders can be preceded by many months by a prodrome of social withdrawal and isolation, cognitive difficulties, suspiciousness and other attenuated psychotic symptoms, and suicidality.
Patients are frequently (mis)diagnosed with a depressive disorder during this phase.
What treatments at this stage may change outcomes (i.e., reduce risk of development of a psychotic disorder)?
Treatment during this phase with psychoeducation, psychosocial interventions (e.g., stress reduction), CBT (psychosis-specific CBT programs have been developed), and neuroprotective agents (including omega-3 fatty acids) has been shown to reduce the rate of transition to first-break psychosis as much as or more than medications and is preferred by patients.
