P0095 - Distinctive features of post-schizophrenic depression

Abstract

Since depressive symptoms (SDS) are prevalent under-recognized and clinically important problems in patients with schizophrenia, the pattern of symptoms and associated features of depressive symptoms, as well, as inclusion of psychopathology and neurodynemic variations in personality structure of patients with chronic schizophrenia deserve more investigation.

We aimed to identify clinical and experimental-psychological features of post-schizophrenic depression. The longitudinal study has been designed to investigate patients with paranoid schizophrenia. As a result of the careful clinical and psychological analyses due to psychopathology we defined four types of depression. From which two types of depression – agitated and asthenic prevailed in active phase of schizophrenia and remained two hypochondriac and apathyc mainly occurred during stabilization. This finding would have prognostic value.

Furthermore, we examined personality changes leaded by cognitive symptoms and specified psychopathological and neurodynamical input in alteration of personality structure with word association experiment by A.D. Zurabashvili. As the semantics of trigger words became more complex the qualitative impairment deepened. Lower pathological associations have overcome scanty logical thinking and fluctuation of latency time with thought blocking became prominent.

SSRI (Fevarin, Rexetin) appeared especially effective in treatment of certain type of post-schizophrenic depression.