[Income and expenses of patients with chronic psychosis]

Knowledge about the income of patients with chronic psychotic disorder and how they use the money may help to provide appropriate clinical and social assistance. Fifty-seven outpatients with schizophrenia treated in Geneva, Switzerland, were studied. Mean income was 3866 Swiss francs (4209 for those with the Swiss disability fund). Only a minority of patients live on meager resources with insufficient comfort. A 4 weeks follow-up showed that patients disposed of a mean of 400 Swiss francs discretionary money. Twenty eight percent of this money was used for leisure activities. This psychiatric and social system allows stabilized patients with psychosis to get what they need in terms of financial support and housing. However, patients should be helped to use their discretionary money in ways more prone to help recovery.