The consistency of thought disorder in mania and schizophrenia. II. An assessment at consecutive admissions

Manic (N = 8) and schizophrenic (N = 14) acute admissions were assessed 10 days after they arrived at the hospital. These assessments were conducted on two consecutive acute admissions for each patient. Interview-based clinical ratings were collected and examined for the stability of both positive and negative thought disorders. For schizophrenics, negative thought disorder, particularly poverty of speech, was relatively consistent across admissions. In the manic sample, much less consistency was observed. The results are evaluated in terms of the statements that they make regarding the validity of the thought disorder construct and for their implications regarding causal factors in communication disorders.