Conventional and alternative preventive treatments in the first stages of schizophrenia

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Schizophrenia is a progressive disorder that moves through multiple stages starting from non-specific risk factors to at-risk mental state (ARMS) (also known as ultra-high risk of psychosis or UHR) to first episode of psychosis (FEP) to chronic course marred by frequent relapses and varying degrees of disability. In order to prevent a deteriorating course, treatments designed to address and possibly even correct the abnormal neuronal system functioning and psychosocial deficits need to be implemented early before potentially irreversible and maladaptive changes take place.Methods: A literature search was conducted in the electronic databases Pub-Med and MEDLINE for..