Chapter One
Prodromal Symptoms and Early Detection of Schizophrenia
H. Häfner and K. Maurer
Schizophrenia Research Unit, Mannheim, Germany
INTRODUCTION
Prodromal symptoms occurring before the first-ever onset or relapse of
schizophrenia were observed a long time ago. In 1861 the pioneer of
modern, scientifically oriented psychiatry, the Berlin-based psychiatrist
Wilhelm Griesinger, described a melancholic prodromal stage that tends
to precede psychosis. Kraepelin described a series of "minor changes in
mood, which may be recurrent or persist for weeks, months or even for
years as the only premonitory signs of an imminent mental disorder". The
main symptoms of this "stage of the prodrome" were "increased irritability
and moodiness, restlessness, unmotivated spells of high or frequently low
spirits.... Further prodromal signs that can be observed frequently are
absent-mindedness, lack of interest or markedly increased activity".
Bleuler called t ... read full excerpt from Early Detection and Management of Mental Disorders ebook
