Abstract
This article attempts to identify and put into perspective the different approaches that could globally prevent the suffering induced by schizophrenia, from the detection of early psychosis to the impact on individual and family functioning and emotional health. Schizophrenia causes, at the community level, a number of difficult consequences and associated costs, which likely could be reduced if specific strategies, already known and documented internationally, were applied. Two areas not explored in this article: the role of medication and the issue of suicide prevention. In the scope of screening and early treatment, genetic risk, as well as the predictive ability of the clinical criteria for individuals at "ultra-high risk" of developing schizophrenia justify an increased vigilance for the detection of symptoms in order for treatment to begin earlier and to be more effective. These risk factors should not be neglected as the benefits of early management impact the course of illness and functional outcome. At this stage of the emergence of the disorder, it is difficult to systematize a therapeutic protocol. Two options are open to the clinician: "wait and watch" given the lack of a conclusive diagnosis and a more pro-active intervention, focused on the therapeutic alliance and enhancing insight and awareness. The second approach seems more productive but requires transparency with the patient and family regarding the uncertainty of the clinical situation, and an attitude that favors sharing information, along the lines of early psych education. Once a pathological stage is reached, early and accurate clinical care is fundamental. They depend heavily on access to care, proximity and availability to clinics or out-reach teams, capable of a thorough diagnostic work-up. Yet conversely, the availability for early and accurate clinical care faces obstacles which are closely related to the pejorative view of psychiatry held by the general public, health care professionals, and public officials. This poor image of psychiatry is partly due to cases of clinical decompensation, dangerous in some instances, underscoring why it is be important to understand and anticipate the contributory factors to these outcomes in the first place so as to avoid them. In this sense, defending a complacent and conciliatory approach can be counter-productive. Following developments of recent decades in other chronic diseases (diabetes, cancer, AIDS, severe heart disease…), the implementation of systematic clinical programs, treatment protocols, psycho-education to reinforce adherence to therapeutic measures, their simplification, the support and appreciation of the role of caregivers, destigmatizing due to proximity of contact, and therefore an increase in the use of care. Similarly, the systematic search for side-effects of medication and pro-actively managing to minimize their occurrence strengthen compliance, a recognized factor of relapse prevention. Preventable comorbidities, addictions, and common physical illnesses are not systematically screened (neoplastic diseases, diabetes, hypertension, dental health, gynecology…) in this population and thus also represent significant potential for a better life expectancy. The tools of psychosocial rehabilitation, unfortunately, are too infrequently used in France. Their goal is to improve the functional outcome of patients, a determinant of social integration and to lessen the burden shouldered by family and other carers, and ultimately to reduce exacerbations of the illness due to situations of interpersonal stress. Work has also proven its worth as a protective factor, as well as strengthening a sense of self-efficiency, of self-esteem, of empowerment, of quality of life, helping attain recovery. It is clear that not all social and health care systems are primarily geared towards these objectives, although they have at their disposal, by the means described above, strong preventive measures for relapses. Beyond the issue of the implementation of clinical programs, the existing culture would benefit from being infused with a prioritization of resource deployment, with debates of these issues regarding parity for mental health services, advocated by users, and forging a place, for example, for the intervention of "peer supports", sociologists, social workers, interested beyond the disease, in community environment, employment opportunities, and housing. Overall, this work argues for updating our conceptions of clinical care, supporting the systematic implementation of modern models of care, and expanding the scope of our concerns regarding patients' lives.
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