The prodromal phase is the first phase of schizophrenia. Mild symptoms may appear during the prodromal phase. “The prodromal phase is the early stage, where the signs are subtle, often confused with general mood or behavioral changes,” says Dr. Kane.
“The prodromal phase can be difficult to recognize in oneself, and it’s usually family members who might notice a change first,” says Bruce Bassi, MD, a psychiatrist based in Chicago.
- Mood changes, such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, anger, sleep problems, or suicidal thoughts
- Social withdrawal
- Decreased school performance or school refusal
- Memory issues
- Attention problems
- Difficulty concentrating
“Recognizing the signs in the prodromal phase and getting help before the active phase fully develops can reduce the intensity of symptoms and improve the person’s quality of life in the long term,” says Kane. But “it’s a bit tricky to diagnose [schizophrenia] at this stage since the signs are not as clear. In my opinion, families should be particularly observant here, because these early signs often get missed.”
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