Development and prediction of postpsychotic depression in neuroleptic-treated schizophrenics

Data were collected during a year-long multicenter collaborative trial comparing short-acting fluphenazine hydrochloride with long-acting fluphenazine decanoate in a group of schizophrenic patients being maintained in the community. We examined the emergence and course of depressive symptomatology, operationally defined by the Hamilton Depression Scale total score. Of 211 patients, approximately 25% had depression develop within five months after discharge. Depressed patients had a more chronic psychiatric history and, contrary to the hypothesis that depression is a favorable prognostic indicator, they were more likely to relapse. There were no differences in incidence of emergent depression between the two drug treatment groups.