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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Scientists Aim to Help Young Schizophrenics

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(Newser) – Schizophrenia experts are using a grab-bag of tools to help young people experiencing early signs of the disease, the AP reports. Hormone research, DNA studies, and brain scans are helping patients in the early "prodrome" phase, before deeper psychosis sets in. Many sufferers are trying the 8-year-old PIER program, used in 20 US clinics, which stresses social life and family time over anti-psychotic drugs.

Experts still don't know why patients experience bouts of depression and hallucination, which can suddenly vanish. They say drugs can dampen symptoms, but may not prevent psychosis and often lead to weight gain. PIER advocates stress social interaction: "If you dim your social life, it makes it easier for your brain to hallucinate and develop strange ideas," says one Yale professor.

Ann Lovegren Conley, a family nurse practitioner at the University of Southern Maine, talks to a patient on the university's Portland, Maine campus.
Ann Lovegren Conley, a family nurse practitioner at the University of Southern Maine, talks to a patient on the university's Portland, Maine campus.   (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach)
Nurse Ann Lovegren Conley, a family nurse practitioner at the University of Southern Maine, examines a patient on the university's Portland, Maine campus.
Nurse Ann Lovegren Conley, a family nurse practitioner at the University of Southern Maine, examines a patient on the university's Portland, Maine campus.   (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach)
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We're convinced that if they start closeting themselves, coming home after school and just spending time in their bedroom, that will accelerate any process toward psychosis. - Yale professor Thomas McGlashan

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Timinator2K
Jul 26, 09 7:57 PM CDT
Their work is entirell cut out for them if they only take on the crowd that hangs out at Newser comments. Reply
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Kookey90
Jul 26, 09 11:57 PM CDT
You folks need to cut out this types of talk; it's mamamaking me nervous.
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Jul 26, 09 8:31 PM CDT
It's an "adult site" according to the view of those who would like to implement a ZERO-TOLERANCE policy against posts like yours. Reply
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anchower
Jul 26, 09 11:54 PM CDT
kg, I believe you've posted several comments about the Newser survey on Facebook. I'm not on Facebook, but if you'd be so kind as to say there on my behalf that I'm OK with the status quo, I'd appreciate it. Thanks much.
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anchower
Jul 27, 09 12:01 AM CDT
Actually, on second thought, I'd prefer it if Newser got rid of the thumbs up and thumbs down. That kind of thing works on, say, Urban Dictionary, to raise the cream to the top. But here all it does is does is spark metacomments about thumbs. It's annoying, bordering on really, really fucking annoying.
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