Depression and the reintegration phase of acute schizophrenia.

The authors found moderate to severe depression in 60% of a group of schizophrenic patients experiencing acute decompensations (N=30). The course of the depression was followed over an 8-week period8,during which patients were treated with depot fluphenazines. There was a statistically significant reduction in depression that closely paralleled the correction of the cognitive disorder. The authors discuss problems in identifying and quantifying depression during acute schizophrenic decompensation and suggest that the Hamilton scale anxiety/depression factor and the BRPS depression factor may be useful diagnositc tools.