Early signs, diagnosis and therapeutics of the prodromal phase of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.

During recent decades, interest in the prevention of mental illnesses has increased. Improved diagnostic tools, the advent of atypical antipsychotic medications and the development of phase-specific psychosocial treatments have made intervention research in people at ultra-high risk for developing schizophrenia or a related psychotic disorder possible. Preliminary data suggest that low doses of atypical antipsychotic medications augmented by psychosocial treatments may delay the onset of psychosis in some individuals. Findings support further research for the establishment of best-practice standards.