[A case of schizophrenia simplex?]

In routine clinical work, the psychopathology of some patients makes distinct diagnosis more difficult for the psychiatrist. In schizophrenia, especially those patients with dominant autism, eccentric behaviour, and abnormalities of affect with no evidence of positive symptoms pose special diagnostic problems. We report a case with formal thought disorder, autism, altered interactional behaviour, and disturbed emotional expression with no characteristic schizophrenic perception disorders, delusions, or other positive symptoms. With the help of this exemplary case, we discuss the diagnostic dilemma in careful use of diagnostic criteria in diagnosing schizophrenia in such cases.