A 2ND CASE OF SCHIZOPHRENIA IN THE FAMILY - IS IT OBSERVED DIFFERENTLY

Comparing reports on emerging symptomatology of schizophrenia by famil ies with and without a prior case of the disorder shows that experienc ed families are more sensitive to delusions and hallucinations; howeve r, they observe unspecific, affective, negative, and social/behavioral symptoms less adequately than relatives who have no previous case of schizophrenia in their families. The results only partly support the h ypothesis that already-affected families tend to deny a second case. A contrast effect of the first psychosis over the second case (as long as it is prepsychotic) appears to be plausible also.