[Early recognition of prodromal symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The exploration of an attention field for nurses].

Abstract

The present article explores the significance of prodromal symptoms in the prevention of psychotic relapse in schizophrenic patients. Prodromal symptoms are changes in patient's subjective perception and observable behavior which may signal the onset of psychosis. The article first describes the process of psychotic decompensation and continues with the description of the most common prodromes, the situation in which they may be observed and who may observe them. The discussion also touches on the predictive value of prodromal symptoms, i.e. their ability to predict an impending psychosis correctly. Finally, the article discusses the various interventions available to nurses, focusing in particular on two aspects. The first aspect is the drafting of observation plans aimed at recognizing prodromal symptoms at an early stage. The second describes how such plans can be linked to the education and information provided to patients and to others in the patient's environment.