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Renaming schizophrenia: a Japanese perspective.

Mitsumoto Sato¹

¹Department of Psychiatry, Tohoku Fukushi University, 1-8-1, Kunimi, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi 981-8522, Japan.

World Psychiatry : Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA)

|June 8, 2006

Summary

Renaming schizophrenia in Japan from "mind-split-disease" to "integration disorder" reduced stigma. This change improved patient diagnosis communication and treatment approaches.

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Mental Health Research
Sociolinguistics in Medicine

Background:

Schizophrenia's historical term, "Seishin Bunretsu Byo" (mind-split-disease), carried significant stigma.
Negative perceptions were exacerbated by past inhumane treatment and the term's ambiguity.
Advances in schizophrenia research highlighted the need for a more accurate and less stigmatizing nomenclature.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the impact of renaming schizophrenia in Japan to "Togo Shitcho Sho" (integration disorder).
To assess the effectiveness of the new term in reducing stigma and improving clinical practice.
To examine changes in patient diagnosis disclosure and understanding of the disorder.

Main Methods:

The study involved a nationwide survey in Japan following the 2002 renaming of schizophrenia.
Data collection occurred seven months post-renaming to assess term replacement.
Surveys and analysis of clinical practice changes were conducted over three years, including a specific prefecture study.

Main Results:

Within seven months, the new term "Togo Shitcho" was adopted in approximately 78% of cases.
Patient diagnosis disclosure rates increased from 36.7% to 69.7% within three years.
86% of psychiatrists found the new term more suitable for patient communication and explaining modern concepts.

Conclusions:

The renaming of schizophrenia to "Togo Shitcho Sho" was successful in replacing the old term and reducing stigma.
The change facilitated better communication of diagnosis to patients and adoption of the vulnerability-stress model.
This initiative improved clinical practice and patient understanding, aligning with modern psychiatric frameworks.

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