Emotional processing in schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction: Persons with schizophrenia have impaired emotional processing, involving experience, expression, and recognition of emotions.

Methods: This article reviews the historical descriptions and more recent work on emotion processing in schizophrenia.

Results: Although abilities of emotional processing relate directly to interpersonal communication and psychosocial functioning, methodological issues exist in the current body of studies and resultant knowledge, which limit translation to novel treatment options.

Conclusions: Further improvement in emotion processing in persons with stable schizophrenia are unlikely to result from conventional pharmacotherapy of psychosis. New treatment modalities and behavioural interventions offer possible improvements in quality of life and psychosocial functioning.