Language and Thought Content in Acute Psychosis
FRANK E. REILLY M.D.,
MARTIN HARROW PH.D., , and
GARY J. TUCKER M.D.1
1 Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, N.H.
Twenty-three acute schizophrenic inpatients were given a standardized 15-minute "free verbalization" interview during the acute phase and again during partial recovery. During the acute phase, patients tended to get lost in a vivid, overwhelming flood of details, whereas later they took more distance and were not as overinvolved, even when discussing the same subjects. Over time there was a shift to future concerns and a renewed interest in interpersonal relationships and responsibilities. Patients became more organized and coherent over time.
