Early detection, intervention, and treatment infirst-episode schizophrenia is becoming increasingly recognized as offering many patients thepossibility of improvedprognosis and quality of life. However, there are many obstacles to early detection treatment, specificaly, common signs leading to early detection are often misleading resulting in identification problems, and many common prodromal diagnoses suggest otherpotential illnesses. Because afirst-episode schizophrenia diagnosis is difficult, it is imperative that awareness be increased about warning signs among primary care clinicians, families, and school systems. In addition to psychoeducationalprograms, the new atypical antipsychotics offer the best hope to date for improved long-term outcome.
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