Am J Psychiatry 1976; 133:14-19
Copyright © 1976 by American Psychiatric Association
An investigation of the postpsychotic depressive syndrome
TH McGlashan and WT Carpenter Jr
Postpsychotic depression is an important clinical phenomenon about which
little is known. Using data from a cohort of 30 schizophrenic patients, the
authors examine the frequency of the syndrome, predictive variables, and
its prognostic implications. Their findings indicate that postpsychotic
depression occurs commonly, especially in patients medicated during
hospitalization; it is difficult to predict on the basis of the presenting
clinical picture; it represents an already existing symptom comlex that
remits more slowly than the acute psychosis; and it fails to predict a more
favorable outcome for schizophrenia at one year.
