[Comparative analysis of disorders of positive emotions in schizophrenic patients with defect traits and patients...

The hypothesis concerning a non-homogeneous disorder of the emotional sphere in schizophrenic patients has been experimentally tested. It has been demonstrated that signs of emotional depletion and depression in schizophrenic patients were predominantly expressed in deficiency of positive emotions whereas negative ones were relatively intact. Defect of positive emotions in these patients is manifested in diminution of the accuracy of assessing one's own emotions and emotiogenic situations of a positive nature and in a reduced impact of positive emotions on one's activities. In contrast to schizophrenics, emotion-related changes in patients with endogenic depressions (MDP, cyclothymia) were characterized by a predominant impairment of negative emotions. The results of the study are interpreted as signs of "deficit of positive emotions" specific of schizophrenic patients with emotional defect.