Although schizophrenia is a chronic illness with exacerbations and
remissions, there has been surprisingly little systematic study of early
signs of relapse. The authors gave 145 chronic schizophrenic patients and
80 family members a structured interview regarding early signs of relapse
and other information related to the relapse period. Most patients and
family informants were aware of a prodromal period during which patients
experienced such symptoms as having trouble sleeping, having trouble
concentrating, loss of appetite, and feeling depressed. The authors discuss
the implications of these findings for the treatment of chronic
schizophrenic patients.Abstract Teaser