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Depression in Chronic Schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Alec Roy
Affiliation:
Neuroscience Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 9000, Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20205, U.S.A.
Ruth Thompson
Affiliation:
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, 250, College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Sidney Kennedy
Affiliation:
250, College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T IR8, Canada and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

Summary

Eighteen depressed chronic schizophrenic out-patients were matched with non-depressed schizophrenic out-patients. The depressed schizophrenics had had significantly more psychiatric admissions, past depression, past treatment for depression, significantly more had attempted suicide, lived alone, had low self-esteem, had early parental loss and had had more life events in the six months before the onset of depression. Depressive disorder in schizophrenic out-patients well controlled by neuroleptics may occur in those who are at risk for depression and experience an excess of life events.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1983 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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