DSM‐5 and the ‘Psychosis Risk Syndrome’: Would it be useful and where would it fit?

The inclusion of a Psychosis Risk Syndrome has been proposed for DSM‐5 but is highly controversial. It further extends the breadth of conditions included as mental disorders and could lead to stigmatisation and inappropriate treatment with associated side‐effects for individuals, most of whom will never develop psychosis. However it would focus attention on provision, and improve evaluation of, early intervention services. It might also lead to earlier availability of evidence‐based interventions, stimulate research and provide an agreed definition of psychosis risk.