THE COURSE OF DSM-III-R SCHIZOPHRENIFORM DISORDER

This study compared the course of illness of 36 patients who received a diagnosis of either DSM-III-R schizophreniform disorder or schizophr enia. Approximately 3.5 and 4.0 years after their index hospitalizatio n, the two groups were compared for differences in positive and negati ve symptoms of psychosis, interpersonal and occupational role function ing, and other aspects of the deficit state. Multivariate data analyse s indicate that the course of illness of the two groups is significant ly different (p < .007), and the data also indicate that patient sympt oms and functioning changed significantly over time (p < .008). The sc hizophreniform patients showed a low level of negative symptoms at bot h follow-ups; schizophrenics initially showed a higher level of negati ve symptoms, but these symptoms decreased significantly over time (p < 04). These data indicate that the course of DSM-III-R schizophrenifor m disorder is distinct from the course of schizophrenia.