Schizophrenia - Definition problem

Increasingly, in acknowledgement of the methodological weaknesses, poor prognostic power, symptomatic variability and general weaknesses inherent in the diagnostic validity of the term 'Schizophrenia', the psychological literature has increasingly tended to focus on specific or discrete symptoms or aspects associated with it (Bentall, 1990). The problems may be categorized as:

Loss of differential meaning
By the 1970's the term schizophrenia had lost much of its differential meaning and had become employed as a "catch all" for insanity (Cooper et al, 1972). So, for example, in the US, Kuriansky et al (1974) reported that in some hospitals 80% of the patients carried the diagnosis.

Inconsistent application
Cooper et al (1972) identified substantial disagreement between psychiatrists in their use of the diagnosis and in particular they drew attention to the very different diagnostic practices used in Europe when compared to the US.

Mary Boyle

[[Thomas Szasz

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Books
Cooper J.E., Kendell R.E., Gurland B.J. 1972, Fsychiatnc Diagnosis in New York and London New York: Oxford University Press

Papers
Kuriansky J B, Deming W F. and Ciurland B J 1974, On trends in the diagnosis of schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry 131: 402-8

Papers

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