The possibilities for intervention in the early phases of schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like psychosis were reviewed. Long duration of untreated psychosis is related to persistent psychotic symptoms. Early detection programmes can reduce the duration of untreated psychosis and thereby probably improve outcome. There is ample evidence that intensive specialised assertive intervention during the early phase of psychotic symptoms is effective in improving several outcomes. Family intervention reduces risk of remission and improve compliance with antipsychotic medication.