[Depression in schizophrenia. Comments on possibilities to use fluoxetine]

Depressive symptoms are frequently diagnosed in patients with schizophrenia. The coexistence of mood disorders and criteria of schizophrenia may result in the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorders. Depressive symptoms can also be recognized after the acute phase of schizophrenia or after neuroleptic treatment which results in the diagnosis of postpsychotic or postneuroleptic depression. Sometimes, depressive symptoms can be misinterpreted; it happens because depressive symptoms can resemble negative symptoms of schizophrenia or neuroleptic side effects. The principles of therapeutic approach to depressive symptoms in schizophrenia have been discussed. Taking into consideration the hypothetical role of the serotoninergic system in the genesis of schizophrenia, special attention has been paid to the drugs selectively acting on this system. The results of the use of fluoxetine as co-treatment with neuroleptics, published by various authors have been presented.