Pseudoneurotic schizophrenia revisited

Abstract

Objectives: 'Pseudoneurotic schizophrenia' was a diagnostic term coined in the 1940s by Hoch and Polatin. It described a subgroup of patients who presented with prominent anxiety symptoms, which masked a latent psychotic disorder. Pseudoneurotic schizophrenia as a diagnostic entity has fallen out of clinical use.

Methods: Described herein is a case that meets the Hoch and Polatin definition of pseudoneurotic schizophrenia.

Results: The history of the concept is reviewed and a discussion is given of why it was forgotten.

Conclusion: The concepts that underlie the diagnostic entity of pseudoneurotic schizophrenia remain relevant to current practice. Recent findings in patients with an emerging psychotic disorder lend modern support to the idea that schizophrenia may present with significant neurotic symptoms.