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The “prodromal syndrome” is not a diagnosis,
but the technical term used by mental health professionals
to describe a specific group of symptoms that may precede the
onset of a mental illness. For example, a fever is “prodromal” to
measles, which means that a fever may be a risk factor for
developing this illness. However, not everyone who has a fever
goes on to develop measles. In order to prevent measles from
developing, you would try to get rid of your fever and take
care of any other symptoms you might have. At CAPPS, we focus
on taking care of symptoms that may precede the onset of psychosis. Psychosis affects between 1% and 3% of the population, and
typically emerges between the ages of 15 and 30. The prodromal
phase of psychosis may last anywhere from a couple of days
to a couple of years. During this time, individuals experience
symptoms of psychosis at mild or moderate levels of intensity,
or for short periods of time. Individuals and their families
may also notice changes in functioning, such as trouble with
school or work and social withdrawal or anxiety.
It is important
to note that just because an individual is “prodromal” does
not mean that they will go on to develop psychosis. You
would
not assume that someone
is inevitably developing measles simply because they have
a fever. Likewise, you should not assume that someone will
inevitably go on to develop psychosis simply because they
are experiencing prodromal symptoms.
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