The gender aspect of negative symptoms in patients with the first episode of schizophrenia

This study was aimed at identifying gender differences in the manifestation of negative symptoms in patients with the first episode of schizophrenia. 59 patients were examined at the stage of remission at the age of 18 to 40 years, as well as in the absence of an actual somatic disease/organic brain lesion. Psychometric scales as well as statistical analysis were used to obtain the results. According to the results of the study, it was found that patients of different sexes have differences in the manifestation of negative symptoms, the severity of which does not depend on the age of onset of the disease. Thus, in male patients, flattening of affect prevails, while in women anhedonia and antisociality are most pronounced. The presence of gender differences in the negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicates the need to develop individualized approaches to the rehabilitation of patients taking into account gender factors.