Premium
Recognition of early warning signs in patients with schizophrenia: A review of the literature
Author(s) -
Van Meijel Berno,
Van Der Gaag Mark,
Kahn Sylvain René,
Grypdonck Maria H.F.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.911
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1447-0349
pISSN - 1445-8330
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-0979.2004.00314.x
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , warning signs , signs and symptoms , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , early psychosis , psychiatry , psychosis , warning system , psychology , medicine , psychotherapist , vital signs , clinical psychology , surgery , aerospace engineering , transport engineering , engineering
This article reviews and discusses the literature on the recognition of the early warning signs of psychosis. The assumption is that nurses, in the everyday exercise of their profession, can contribute to the prevention of psychotic relapse in schizophrenic patients by the early recognition of warning signs. First, the process of psychotic relapse and the factors that influence it are described. Then research on the early signs of psychosis is discussed. This article questions the most common early signs, when they occur, and who can recognize them. Then the predictive value of the early signs is considered: how well can psychotic relapse be predicted with these early signs? Finally, the research on the effects of early recognition and early intervention is discussed, primarily with respect to the question of whether psychotic relapses can actually be prevented by making use of preventive intervention strategies. The conclusion is that the preliminary results are hopeful and invite further research on such matters as the application of this intervention strategy within nursing practice.