CLINICAL HETEROGENEITY OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

The heterogeneity of schizophrenia has led to a multitude of diagnosti c criteria systems. Thus, the best strategy for schizophrenia research might be the use of several diagnostic systems simultaneously. This p olydiagnostic approach can be associated with isolating subtypes of sy mptoms or patients. In this way, the authors present several approache s such as, first, dimensional approaches, second, cluster analyses, an d third the selection of a very homogeneous subtype with standardized criteria. One homogeneous subtype can be represented by deficit schizo phrenia according to Carpenter as defined by the Schedule of Deficit S yndrome.