[Report on changes in some elements of respiration during exacerbation of schizophrenic psychosis]

Disturbances of respiration occurring in the exacerbation of schizophrenic psychosis with predominant anxiety were examined in a group of 30 schizophrenic patients. In the experimental group were included patients before the application of therapy with derivants of phenotiazinic group, and in the control group the patients who were given this therapy in the period of 25 days. The psychotic intensity was determined by Rogina's Grading Scale of Psychotic Behavior, and the severity of anxiety by psychological techniques (Rorschach's Psychodiagnostic Test and Spilberg's Inquiry for Anxiety), as well as by polygraphic technique of respiration recording. This investigation has shown that the use of polygraphic-neurophysiological methods in the investigation of anxiety in schizophrenia is justified. The conclusion was that hyperventilation is a consequence of anxiety. The shortening of inspiratory phase of the respiration cycle and the prolongation of expiration, particularly occurring in the phase of spontaneous fluctuation of psychogalvanic reflex were registered, what is an indication of anxiety.