The measurement of subjective experience in schizophrenia: the Subjective Deficit Syndrome Scale

Abstract

The systematic assessment of subjective experience independently from its impact on schizophrenic's behavior is neglected in most structured interviews and symptoms rating scales. However, subjective complaints may predict outcome functioning, medication compliance, and future psychotic episodes and better reflects patients' well-being than does behavioral assessment. We demonstrate the reliability of the Subjective Deficit Syndrome Scale and the considerable prevalence of subjective complaints in 166 acute and chronic inpatients and outpatients. Complaints were correlated with global measures of psychopathology in acute but not chronic patients. They were not correlated with negative symptoms or neurological side effects. Some overlap was observed with measures of depression, although most patients denied depressed mood. We conclude that subjective deficits are prevalent in schizophrenia, that they can be reliably assessed, and that they constitute an independent, clinically important dimension of the disease.