title: Guidelines for clinical treatment of early course schizophrenia.
abstract: Several practice guidelines have been developed for the management of schizophrenia based on the current evidence base, but only a few have focused on the early course of this illness. In this article, we review the current literature on the approaches to management of early schizophrenia (ie, the prodromal, psychotic, and recovery phases of this illness). The efficacy of psychosocial and antipsychotic agents in the prodromal phase is an area of active research. Atypical antipsychotics are the mainstay of treatment for stabilization of the acute psychotic phase. Effective approaches in the recovery phase include combining medications with individual and family interventions, supported employment, assertive community treatment, cognitive remediation, and social skills training. Although evidence-based interventions have generated new optimism among those with the illness, more efforts are needed to increase access to care in community settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, 4201 St. Antoine,University Health Center, 9B, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. mkeshava@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Matcheri S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Keshavan
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wittmann
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents