Schizophrenia: Analysis and psychological treatment according to the clinical staging

Abstract

The present paper provides an overview of the recent contributions to the study of the course of schizophrenia. This is not a disorder as chronic and as acute at its start as traditionally thought. Beyond the positive and negative symptoms and different subtypes of illness, it is important to call attention to the development and course of schizophrenia. According to this approach, the aim of this paper is to review the most recent studies on schizophrenia according to clinical stages. With this aim, we review the research carried out by leading research teams and recently published clinical practice guidelines (Birmingham Group, Melbourne Group, GPCSNS, NICE) in relation to the course, the main features, and more adjusted treatment alternatives, aimed to improve the characteristic symptoms of each stage of the disease. Finally, we point out the necessity to integrate this approach with the proposed changes for the upcoming DSM-V. This review identifies effective treatment options for each of the phases of the disease defined by the clinical stage approach.