704 – Thought Disorders - Evolution of Historical Concepts

Abstract

Introduction:

Several authors made important contributions to the evolution of psychopathological concepts that we now often gather under the topic of formal thought disorders (FTD).

Objectives:

Our objectives were to describe the interpretation of concepts - including FTD and related concepts - by authors that had a major impact in the field and in defining trends nowadays.

Aims:

In general we aimed to reach a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of the above mentioned.

Methods:

We reviewed the literature by searching PUBMED and a library database using the terms thought and language and association and schizophrenia and course interchangeably. We used article and book references to increase our search.

Results:

Throughout the years - from the first observations suggesting a primary pathology of the ability to coordinate ideas of Esquirol and Guislain to the current DSM-IV Schizophrenia criteria - and considering authors from all over the world - including Fish (UK), Kurt Goldstein, Carl Schneider, Emil Kraepelin (Germany), Eugen Bleuler (Switzerland), Jules Séglas (France), Nancy C. Andreasen (USA), Pio de Abreu (Portugal), Elie Cheniaux (Brazil), among others - terms have been given approximate meanings and different symptoms/signs have been considered to that purpose.

Conclusions:

Using precise concepts of formal thought and related disorders is crucial when considering diagnostic hypothesis and passing information on to colleagues. Thus, it is of utmost importance having a better understanding of the above.