Prevention of relapse of schizophrenia by social and pharmacological treatments.

Abstract

Even when schizophrenic patients are maintained on long-acting neuroleptics in the community, about one-third relapse over a period of 1-2 years. Relapse on medication is associated with acute stress in the form of life events and chronic stress in the form of the emotional atmosphere in the patient's home. The noxious elements in the emotional atmosphere have been identified as criticism, hostility, and overinvolvement by the relatives. Strategies are discussed for reducing the level of these emotions and their effect on the patients. A preliminary report is given on the progress of a controlled trial of social intervention with patients at high risk of relapse.