[Clinical state of patients with schizophrenia who are employed and unemployed]

A group of 130 patients having been treated with schizophrenia for at least 5 years was examined. The patients were trying to get a job after at least one year leave. All subjects were examined twice: at the time of looking for a job and two years later. Mental state, the course of the disease, and the employment during the period of two years were assessed. It was found out that 40% of patients continued work after two years but majority of those were working in firm for disabled people. Professional work positively influenced the patients' mental state, namely the psychopathological symptoms occurred less often in patients working professionally. No differences were spotted in the number and the general length of hospitalization during two years of catamnesis between the working and unemployed groups. It was proposed to motivate all patients treated with schizophrenia to start professional work.