SIMPLE SCHIZOPHRENIA :PATIENTS IN SEARCH OF A DIAGNOSIS

Recent classification systems of schizophrenia consider the presence of psychotic features like certain forms of hallucinations and delusions as sine qua non of this disorder. Consequently, earlier categories like simple schizophrenia have been discarded from many diagnostic systems. However, there is a category of patients who present with gross deterioration in personality without ever experiencing hallucinations or delusions. Negative schizophrenia, a contemporary popular syndrome has again revived interest in this subgroup of patients. The authors present four cases diagnosed as simple schizophrenia and argue the case for retention of this subgroup of schizophrenia in the current nosological classification systems and conclude that simple schizophrenia of yesteryears has close resemblance with today's negative schizophrenia.