[Prodromes of schizophrenia recurrence]

Abstract

Schizophrenic disorders are chronic disorders usually characterized by relapses alternating with periods of remission. A better understanding of the course of schizophrenic disorders is available with the models of psychotic vulnerability and the neurodevelopmental hypothesis. The relapses have numerous severe aspects, clinical, biological and conduct to a bad prognosis. A relapse prevention constitutes a major issue in regard of public health. A relapse prevention is possible with identification of relapse prodromal signs (or early signs of relapse). The relapse prodromal signs are often aspecific but remain stable in each patient. These relapse prodromal signs are similar to the initial prodromal signs, as well as in symptomatology than as their chronologic apparition. Specific psychoeducation strategy allows for each patient to learn its own stressful events and its own prodromal signs of relapse, as well as onset of each prodromal symptoms. A pilot study conducts to a psychoeducative program of relapse prevention centered on learning about prodromal symptoms and validation of a relapse prodromal signs questionnaire.