Depression in schizophrenia: Perspective in the era of "atypical" antipsychotic agents

Objective: The author sought to provide a contemporary understanding of dep ression in schizophrenia and promote a treatment orientation. Method: Computer and library-based resources were used to review the litera ture on depression in schizophrenia. Results: Despite multiple definitions of "depression," a substantial rate o f depression has consistently been found in patients with schizophrenia. A differential diagnosis can be used to advance the understanding and treatme nt of depression in schizophrenia, and changes in response to the advent of atypical antipsychotic agents can be understood in the context of this dif ferential diagnosis paradigm. Conclusions: Depression is an important co-occurring syndrome in schizophre nia. In at least some schizophrenic patients, the stress-vulnerability mode l has potential as an integrating concept concerning the relationship betwe en depression and psychosis.