[A psychological early intervention program for the prepsychotic prodromal state. A case report]

Abstract

We introduce a multimodular, psychological outpatient, intervention program for the treatment of the early prodromal stage which includes individual and group psychotherapy, cognitive training, and family support. The conceptual framework is comprised of the vulnerability and stress-coping concept for schizophrenia. We use cognitive-behavioural strategies which are derived from first-episode and relapse prevention in the treatment of schizophrenia and from the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression. We report the case of a 25-year-old college student in the early prodromal state who was treated by the program. His self-experienced neuropsychological deficits improved, depressive and anxiety symptoms decreased, and positive self-concept was stabilised. During the treatment period of 1 year, social deterioration and prepsychotic and psychotic symptoms were prevented.