About 75% of people with schizophrenia go through this prodromal phase. It is the first stage of schizophrenia, sometimes it appears for a few weeks but most of the time it only worsens the situation. There are three stages for schizophrenia: prodromal, active, and residual. Prodromal is first and is often confused with other psychotic illnesses. This confusion of symptoms makes it difficult to recognize initial signs of schizophrenia until it shows as a full-blown episode. In this blog, we will see the symptoms of schizophrenia prodrome, its diagnosis, and the treatment methods for this mental illness.
What is Prodromal Schizophrenia?
Prodromal schizophrenia is the time of changes in behavior before the onset of schizophrenia. These changes are subtle. People do not show the full symptoms of schizophrenia in this schizophrenia prodromal phase. This phase is usually related to behavioral changes, not alterations in thinking patterns. Hallucinations and delusions start after this phase of prodrome.
As the symptoms of the prodromal phase of schizophrenia are similar to other mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, it might be difficult to diagnose and treat prodromal schizophrenia—prodromal schizophrenia usually lasts for 1 to 5 years.
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Prodromal Schizophrenia Symptoms
As we have discussed, prodrome schizophrenia symptoms are similar to other mental disorders. Indications that you have prodrome schizophrenia include trouble with your memory and difficulty staying focused or paying attention, which are similar to the symptoms of depression and ADHD.
If you have the prodromal stage of schizophrenia, you will experience symptoms of prodromal schizophrenia before anyone else. You can feel changes in your behavior and attitude just as in PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Your family may say it is just an age factor, this is the reason it is often left untreated, and then it becomes worse.
Mood swings and depression can also happen. Impulsive behavior and anxiety are also included in symptoms of prodromal schizophrenia. This impulsive nature and mood swings confuse this phase with bipolar disorder. That is why it is left without diagnosis.
One of the prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia is a lack of energy. A person having prodrome schizophrenia might lose weight, have appetite loss, and have sleep problems. These sleep problems confuse the prodrome schizophrenia symptoms with insomnia or hypersomnia.
Prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia in adolescence include a lack of interest in things that you once enjoyed. They avoid socializing with friends and family. There could be a decline in the achievements and socializing of these children. They do not care so much about their hygiene.
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Some other prodrome schizophrenia symptoms include:
- Angry responses to friends and family on normal questions
- Strange way of writing or talking
- Extreme interest in religion
- Hearing or seeing things that are not there
Types of prodromal phase
There are three different types of prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia, which are categorized as three different types of prodromal phase. Let’s discuss the symptoms of the prodromal phase depending on their type:
Brief intermittent psychosis prodromal syndrome (BIPS)
People with pattern 1 prodromal phase experience the symptoms of prodromal psychosis. These types of indications include sleep disturbances, which are related to many mental health disorders. This leads to early symptoms of schizophrenia but these symptoms are not regular for the first 6 to 7 months.
Attenuate positive symptom prodromal syndrome (APS)
People with pattern 2 prodromal phase experience the symptoms related to schizophrenia in their prodromal phase. They usually experience the early symptoms of schizophrenia at first, followed by anxiety, and then it shows the signs of psychosis.
Genetic risk and deterioration prodromal syndrome (GRDS)
If one or more family members have manifested psychosis in the past and prodromal symptoms are worsening, genetic risk and deterioration prodromal syndrome could be the diagnosis.
Read More: Understanding Residual Schizophrenia
Causes for Prodromal Stage Schizophrenia
75% of people with the prodromal phase got sick with schizophrenia later on. Just like schizophrenia, there is no specific cause for prodromal schizophrenia. Some factors can be the reason for the development of prodrome schizophrenia, let’s explore these risk factors that lead to the development of schizophrenia prodrome.
Genetics
Schizophrenia sometimes runs in families. No single gene is responsible for the development of schizophrenia, but schizophrenia develops with a different combination of genes. However, having these genes does not necessarily mean that the person will develop schizophrenia.
Environmental Factors
Environment plays an important role in the development of schizophrenia. Traumas in childhood, big lifestyle changes, and living in a stressful environment may trigger your schizophrenic side and you may suffer from hallucinations and delusions.
Birth Complications
Several other factors can cause the development of schizophrenia, including birth complications. This includes complexities before or during birth, which may affect the way a brain develops, which in turn may lead to schizophrenia.
Substance Use
Another reason for the development of schizophrenia is attributed to alcohol or substance use. Research has shown that schizophrenia patients are prone to drugs, but it is not clear whether schizophrenia develops because of substance use or the schizophrenic patients drink.
Read More: Schizophrenia and Insomnia: Understanding the Link and Coping Strategies
Brain Development
Research shows that most of the patients with schizophrenia have slightly different brain structures than normal human beings. But this is not verified that all patients have different brain development, it might be because of other reasons.
Treatment for Prodromal Stage of Schizophrenia
The treatment plan for prodromal schizophrenia depends on the prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia. But there are different treatment options for schizophrenia prodrome. Let’s see the treatment options:
Medication
Psychiatrists provide medicine for prodromal schizophrenia depending on the signs of the patient. Medicine that is commonly used for the management of prodromal schizophrenia is antipsychotics. This type of medicine can lessen the symptoms of prodrome schizophrenia and also the indications for psychosis. If you see prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia in adolescence or teenage, you can manage it with antidepressants.
Therapies
There are different therapies used for the treatment of the prodromal phase of schizophrenia. The type of therapy you can use depends on your age or the influence of the disease on your daily life. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is most commonly used for the treatment of schizophrenia. But if you are married and the signs are showing up and affecting your relationship, then you might consider couple therapy or marriage therapy to deal with it. You can also try out interpersonal therapy for refurbishing your relationship with friends and family.
Lifestyle Changes
Self-care practices can help you take control of your health. You can make small changes in your daily life and fight back against schizophrenia. Sleeping well for at least 8 hours, eating a lot of water, eating nutritious food, and exercising for at least 30 minutes a day can save you from schizophrenia.
Read More: Myths And Facts About Schizophrenia
Solid Foundation Psychiatry for Prodromal Schizophrenia
If you are feeling the symptoms of prodromal schizophrenia and don’t know what to do, then you’re at the right place. Contact our specialists now and get the diagnosis before it gets too late. At Solid Foundation Psychiatry, our professional psychiatrists provide clinical and telehealth services for all mental health services, including schizophrenia.
Conclusion
Finding out that your loved one is suffering from prodromal schizophrenia is tough, but it’s important to talk to a doctor if you see indications of it. Symptoms include emotional and behavioral changes such as mood swings, trouble concentrating, sleep issues, and avoiding social activities. Early diagnosis is better than late procedures. If you are looking for satisfactory treatment, contact Solid Foundation Psychiatry today.