Depressive disorders in schizophrenia

146 cases of schizophrenia, fulfilling Research Diagnostic Criteria and a regular followup of 6 months or more, were studied concerning depressive mood disorders at the onset of illness and over a period of time following neuroleptic treatment. There was no significant difference in the total number of cases depressed at the onset of illness (49) and at final follow up (56). Following 8 weeks of neuroleptic treatment, depressive symptoms disappeared in 47 per cent of the depressed schizophrenics and these cases did not evince depression subsequently. However, 53 per cent of schizophrenics manifesting depression at final followup had no depressive symptoms at the onset of illness and in these cases depression occurred following neuroleptic treatment. It is contended that depression may be intrinsic of schizophrenia and neuroleptics may have a role in the causation of depressive disorders in schizophrenia.