RELAPSE PREVENTION IN THE TREATMENT OF
This research reviews the psychiatric disorder of schizophrenia, with an emphasis on recent findings related to relapse prevention among patients suffering from the disorder. Schizophrenia is a disorder identified by the presence of ôcharacteristic psychotic symptoms during the active phase of the illness and functioning below the highest level previously achieved . . . , and a duration of at least six months . . .ö (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, p. 187).
Patients suffering from the disorganized type of schizophrenia exhibit ôincoherence, marked loosening of associations, or grossly disorganized behavior, and . . . flat or grossly inappropriate affectö (American psychiatric Association, 1987, 196). During some phase of the illness, schizophrenia ôalways involves delusions, hallucinations, or certain characteristic disturbances in affect and form of thoughtö (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 187). The key feature of schizophrenic delusions is a marked departure from consensual reality.
Schizophrenia is classified as subchronic when the signs of the disorder are ômore or lessö continuously present for at least six months but for less than two years (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 195). When the signs persist for two years or longer, the disorder is classified as chronic (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 195).
Functioning below the highest level previously achieved refers to the functioning of the patient in ôsuch areas as work, social relations, and self careö (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 187). When the onset of the illness is in either childhood or adolescence, functioning is related to ôthe expected level of social developmentö (American Psychiatric Association, 1987).
Content of thought involves ôdelusions that are often multiple, fragmented, or bizarreö (American Psychiatric Association, 1987 188). Bizarre refer...