VALIDATION OF 3 DIMENSIONS OF SCHIZOPHRENIC SYMPTOMS IN A LARGE UNSELECTED SAMPLE OF PATIENTS

A principal components analysis was conducted upon current symptoms an d signs rated in a sample of 329 essentially unselected patients with schizophrenia. Three dimensions emerged clearly and closely resembled those previously described in smaller, more selected samples. The clea rly defined psychotic dimensions were related in turn to: (i) other me ntal state variables; (ii) physical treatments administered; (iii) mov ement disorder; (iv) demographic and historical features; and (v) cogn itive function. The correlates of the three dimensions were very diffe rent. The clarity of separation achieved in this investigation provide s strong support for the view that the three psychotic dimensions of ' poverty', 'hallucinations and delusions' and 'disorganization' are val id and may well have different underlying pathophysiologies.