Research on schizophrenia in Southern European countries

The research on schizophrenia during the last 50 years in the Latin language countries of Southern Europe is briefly surveyed. Particular emphasis is given to the contributions of French authors to the diagnostic concept of schizophrenia, as well as to the phenomenological studies concerning the "essence" of schizoidia/schizophrenia, and some initial schizophrenic "Erlebnisse." The development of biological, psychological, and sociological theories concerning the etiology of schizophrenia is outlined, and contributions such as the "aminotoxic theory" of V. M. Buscaino and the theoretical principles of "alternative psychiatry" are examined in detail. Lastly, the role of French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese psychiatrists in the introduction and improvement of somatic treatments is described.