[The evaluation of mentalization deficit by the faux pas test in schizophrenia]

Patients with schizophrenia have difficulties in representing of the mental states of others. The impairment can be detected not only in the acute phase but also in remission. Patients in remission are able to pass first- and second order "theory of mind" tasks, but they have difficulties to understand more complex situations (such as irony). In our study faux pas tasks were used to assess mentalization deficits among patients with schizophrenia. Seventeen patients with schizophrenia and seventeen matched control individuals were evaluated. A computerized programme was used to present the tasks, to store the answers and the time the participants used to read the questions and answer. The patients with schizophrenia performed a significant impairment in the faux pas tasks. Beside, an improving tendency were found in the patient's answers, that may mean a capacity to "learn" in the dimension of mentalization.