Simple Schizophrenia-Syndrome or Shibboleth

Abstract

The authors review the diagnosis of simple schizophrenia, using as source material classical and contemporary textbook descriptions, a statistical survey, and case studies. The evidence demonstrates no typical premorbid history, no standard time of onset, and no characteristic pattern of symptoms or thought disorder. In essence, the data suggest that no syndrome as such exists—that it is not a reliable or valid diagnosis and cannot be used to support Bleuler's original dichotomy of essential and accessory symptoms.