Hospital psychiatry has evolved from long-term "treatment" programs that
were primarily custodial to the successful pharmacological treatment of
acute psychotic episodes. Unfortunately, many patients still return to the
hospital with relapses. This so-called revolving door syndrome draws
attention to the critical importance of preventing as well as treating
acute episodes. In the first part of this overview, the author reviews the
clinical literature on prophylactic treatment of schizophrenia with
maintenance antipsychotic drugs. The second part will review the literature
on prophylactic treatment of affective disorders with lithium and
tricyclics. In the opinion of the author these drugs provide the potential
for truly preventive psychiatry.Abstract Teaser