A second case of schizophrenia in the family: is it observed differently?

Comparing reports on emerging symptomatology of schizophrenia by families with and without a prior case of the disorder shows that experienced families are more sensitive to delusions and hallucinations; however, they observe unspecific, affective, negative, and social/behavioral symptoms less adequately than relatives who have no previous case of schizophrenia in their families. The results only partly support the hypothesis that already-affected families tend to deny a second case. A contrast effect of the first psychosis over the second case (as long as it is prepsychotic) appears to be plausible also.