Characteristic subjective experiences of schizophrenia

The purpose of the study was to identify subjective experiences that are ch aracteristic of schizophrenia. A questionnaire for self-assessment of distu rbances in several cognitive-perceptual areas (the Eppendorf Schizophrenia Inventory) was constructed and administered to first episode schizophrenia patients (SCHf; n = 45), negative-syndrome schizophrenia patients (SCHn; n = 45), remitted schizophrenia subjects (SCHr; n = 24), depressive patients (DEP; n = 43), alcoholic patients (ALC; n = 48), obsessive-compulsive patie nts (OCD; n = 46), and healthy controls (CON; n = 57). Comparisons between the SCHf SCHn, DEP, ALC, and OCD groups and a subsequent factor analysis re vealed four schizophrenia-specific dimensions: Attention and Speech Impairm ent (AS), Ideas of Reference (IR), Auditory Uncertainty (AU), and Deviant P erception (DP). Further analyses suggested that the AS syndrome represents a mediating vulnerability factor, while IR, AU, and DP probably are reversi ble episode indicators. The results may contribute to the refinement of the measurement of specific prepsychotic signs, thus facilitating the developm ent of early intervention approaches.