Treating Early Schizophrenia Symptoms

A program developed in Maine aims to treat a syndrome that sometimes precedes schizophrenia. The Associated Press wrote about it July 27. The “prodrome” is a group of early symptoms. They sometimes lead to schizophrenia. For other people, they simply go away. People in the prodrome state may see or hear imaginary things. But they know these things are not real. The Portland Identification and Early Referral program (PIER) includes group meetings. People talk about the stresses of living in the prodrome state. Most take antipsychotic medicine. Families also take part in the meetings. One goal is to prevent withdrawal from social life, which can make things worse. Results of the Portland program have not been published. But the approach now is being tried in four other states.