An investigation of residual psychotic symptoms in discharged schizophrenic patients

Twenty-five patients who had been discharged back into the community after an acute schizophrenic episode but who still experienced residual psychotic symptoms were interviewed to elicit the antecedents, consequences and coping strategies of their symptoms. Fifty-two per cent were able to identify antecedent stimuli and 92 per cent still experienced negative consequences, mainly anxiety. Seventy-two per cent were able to specify coping strategies. Cognitive and behavioural strategies were most frequently cited. However 28 per cent of patients reported that their strategies were of little or no effect and 25 per cent of all strategies were reported ineffective. Patients using multiple strategies were more successful at coping.