The Evolution of Symptoms in Institutionalized Hebephrenic/Catatonic Schizophrenics

Abstract

Charts of 52 hebephrenic/catatonic schizophrenics requiring long-term institutionalization were selected and reviewed. The presence or absence of 28 different symptoms was noted on a year by year basis over a span of 35 yr. Symptoms usually classified as positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions, had earlier onset and greater tendency to resolve over time than symptoms usually classified as negative such as flat affect, decreased social interaction and sensorium defects.