Diagnosis of schzophrenic borderline states

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to contribute to the clinical description of the group of schizophrenic borderline patients. In the first place important clinical features pointed out in older, basic papers will be restated. Secondly, additional observations, not used in clinical practice before, at least not explicitly, are described, data which are believed to be useful for the diagnosis of the states in question as well as for the differential diagnosis from other conditions, neuroses in particular. In the latter regard the following points are considered to be of outstanding importance: the presence or absence of a primary gain; the presence or absence of strivings to obtain an emotional secondary gain; the nature of the interpersonal relationship; the composition of the single symptoms. Pseudonormal, pseudoneurotic and pseudopsychopathic states are characterized. Micro-psychotic and overt psychotic states are described. Clinical differences from schizophrenic psychosis as observed in patients in the nuclear group of the schizophrenias are pointed out.