DEPRESSION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Depression is a syndrome that commonly accompanies schizophrenia. The presence of depressive symptoms in this entity have been recognized an d described since the era of Kraeplin and Bleuler, but its significanc e on the prognosis of schizophrenia is still controversial. The sympto ms that contribute to the diagnosis of a mayor depressive episode are not exclusive of depression as they can easily be confused with the ne gative symptoms of schizophrenia, with akinesia or with the prodromic symptoms of a psychotic relapse. Even though in the last years much at tention has been paid to the study and treatment of depression in schi zophrenia; the diagnosis and the treatment of this entity is still unc ertain.