Phases of Schizophrenia & Prognosis

premorbid phase

phase I

• personality & behavior indications

  • shy & withdrawn

  • poor peer relationships

  • poor school performance

  • asocial behavior

• current research focused on early intervention

prodromal phase

phase II

• significant deterioration in function

  • 50% have depressive sx

  • social withdrawal

  • cognitive impairment

  • obsessive-compulsive behavior

• therapeutic interventions

active psychotic phase

phase III

• acute episode where sx are more pronounced

• psychotic sx typically prominent

residual phase

phase IV

• active sx absent or no longer prominent

  • + sx may be improved

  • - sx may remain

• flat affect & impairment in role functioning

• possible for - sx to improve

  • often worse w/ additional episodes

prognosis

• clinical improvement in abt 44% of pt

• associated factors

  • good premorbid functioning

  • later age onset; female sex

  • abrupt onset w/ obvious precipitating factor

  • rapid resolution of active phase sx

  • minimal residual sx

  • absence of structural brain abnormalities, normal neurological functioning, no FMH of schizophrenia