The schizophrenic patient and depressive symptomatology

The present research provides data to evaluate the hypothesis that during the postpsychotic period of schizophrenic patients a depressive reaction frequently appears. Data are presented on 80 consecutive psychiatric admissions (44 patients with acute schizophrenic reactions and 36 depressed patients were studied for comparative purposes). The results on depressive feelings in these patients were gathered from three sources: 1) standardized weekly rating scales by psychiatrists; 2) standardized daily nurses’ ratings; and 3) subjective ratings. We conclude from self-reports of depressive feelings and observational reports by nurses and physicians that these schizophrenic patients do not show what has been described as a depressive reaction in the recovery period or what has been termed the “postpsychotic period.” It is suggested that the clinical data responsible for this impression are related to the schizophrenic’s defect in affect and, in some settings, to the recognition of depressive features which have always been present and are actually decreasing. In the past these depressive symptoms have sometimes been overshadowed by the more florid psychotic symptoms. The theoretical implications of this are discussed.