The authors examined the temporal relationship between onset of
depressive and psychotic symptoms in 27 patients with recent-onset
schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder. Ratings on the Brief
Psychiatric Rating Scale were collected every 2 weeks for at least 1 year
to specify onset of relapse or exacerbation. Six time periods were defined
in relation to onset of psychotic symptoms, and the number of depressive
periods was determined for each time period. Onset of depressive periods
was concurrent with onset of psychosis more often than expected but was not
associated with any other time period. The authors found no distinctive
postpsychotic pattern of onset for depression.
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