The positive-negative distinction in schizophrenia : is it sufficient ?

Abstract EN

Research and treatment of schizophrenia have been impeded by its heterogeneity and the lack of comprehensive assessment of symptoms including the positive/negative dimension.

To study symptom profiles in subjects with schizophrenia, there fore, a well operationalized 30-item scale (Positive & Negative Syndrome Scale) was administered to 150 subjects with schizophrenia.

The thirty items were then subjected to principle component analysis.

Results showed that the positive/negative distinction alone was insufficient to account for the heterogeneity of schizophrenia.

Other dimensions such as depression and excitement may further account for multiplicity of symptoms in this disorder.