Should ‘Risk syndrome of Psychosis’ be included in DSM V as a diagnosis? A road towards preventive psychiatry”

Psychiatric diagnosis has acquired a position of a quasi-legal document for mental health services and agencies working with mental health. Its utility has gone far beyond ‘clinical diagnosis for treatment’. The concept of risk syndrome for schizophrenia has been thoroughly researched in last ten years or so. Significant advancement has been made in phenomenology, diagnostic criteria, classification, & neurobiology. The research of prodromal or at-risk or Ultra high-risk psychosis has significantly contributed to the body of knowledge of aetio-pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The science of risk syndrome has apparently matured and its proponents are ready for its inclusion in DSM V as a diagnosis. This may happen or may not happen. However it is a welcome agenda for working group of schizophrenia in DSM. All the stakeholders are curiously watching this exciting scientific discourse. We need to be mindful, in the process, not to do any thing in which interest of the ‘patient’ if left out. Schizophrenia affects about 1% people in the general population personal and social cost of schizophrenia is extremely high. The patients and the family members both suffer the burden of disability. Prevention of schizophrenia, therefore would offer substantial benefits to the patients, families and the community at large. Studies report that about 80-85% patients report experiencing subsyndomal symptoms for varying periods. Identification of individuals at prodromal stage would clinicians an opportunity to provide preventive intervention. The symposia will reflect, discuss and provide synthesis of data to frame an opinion based upon not only evidence but also on experience and expectations of consumers