Onset of psychosis and Self-disorders: new diagnostic perspectives

Abstract

In the last few years, there has been a paradigm shift in the way psychosis, in particular schizophrenic psychosis, is approached. For instance, it is no longer considered to be a condition characterized by an unavoidable and progressive worsening but, rather, one that may be prevented and treated. Several diagnostic instruments have been developed to identify the prodromal phase of psychosis. These include the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) that, using a psychopathological approach, evaluates patients’ subjectivity, focusing in particular on the identification of the so-called self-disorders, which are considered to be vulnerability markers in the schizophrenia spectrum. This article examines national and international literature data showing the likely clinical benefit this psychopathological instrument may have in high-risk psychosis syndromes.