Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) might affect the course and treatment outcome in schizophrenia significantly. Looking for potential determinants of DUP, researchers have mostly assessed the initial untreated psychosis in terms of plain duration, not developmental content. The present study provides empirical contributions to the discussion of phenomenal continuity throughout the entire untreated illness by pointing out continuous trajectories from prodrome to psychosis. In a series of 19 first-episode DSM-IV schizophrenia patients, we explore prodromal and untreated psychotic phenomena, and the data indicate that symptoms considered intrinsic to core psychosis phenomenology had attenuated antecedents in the prodromes, increasing continuously until treatment, whereas symptoms considered not intrinsic to core psychosis were characterized by fluctuations. Mode of initial psychosis development is proposed as a tentatively informative concept, comprising duration and content aspects of the initial prodrome and untreated psychosis.

Keywords:
Psychotic disorders, Mode of onset, Symptom continuity, Initial prodrome, Untreated psychosis, Qualitative methods
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
2001
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.