The recent emphasis on early detection and intervention in psychotic disorders has roused a renewed interest in the subtle experiential anomalies that suggest signs of incipient psychosis beyond positive and negative diagnostic symptoms. Among these subjective anomalies, that reflect different transitions in the vulnerabilitystress- coping model, the basic symptoms (BS) hold a topical position. The "Basic Symptoms Model" (BSM) - developed in Germany by Gerd Huber and colleagues in the 1960’s, is a comprehensive approach for psychosis - allows a psychopathological mapping of individual trajectories (that transit from uncharacteristic, non-psychotic yet disturbing mental states, to full blown psychotic experiences). Thus, the BSM maintains a core strategic value for the current early detection and intervention approaches.
Keywords: Schizophrenia, psychosis, vulnerability, basic symptoms, early detection.