Despersonalización y esquizofrenia: estudio comparativo entre primeros y múltiples episodios de esquizofrenia / Depersonalisation and schizophrenia: Comparative study of initial and multiple episodes of schizophrenia

Introducción. Los fenómenos de despersonalización/desrealización se han asociado clásicamente con las fases iniciales de la psicosis y se supone que precederían (incluso en años) a la psicosis clínica, siendo mucho más frecuentes en la fase prodrómica y en la fase aguda de la enfermedad. Los objetivos del presente estudio son analizar las diferencias para los fenómenos de despersonalización/desrealización existentes entre los pacientes con primeros o con múltiples episodios de esquizofrenia y los factores que podrían influir en ello. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, controlado y transversal en el que se estudiaron 48 sujetos diagnosticados de esquizofrenia paranoide (20 con un primer episodio y 28 con episodios múltiples). Fueron evaluados mediante la Escala de Despersonalización de Cambridge, la Escala de los Síndromes Positivo y Negativo y la Escala de Experiencias Disociativas, entre otras. Resultados. Los sujetos con primeros episodios de esquizofrenia presentan mayores puntuaciones tanto en la Escala de Despersonalización de Cambridge como en la subescala que valora estas experiencias en la Escala de Experiencias Disociativas. No encontramos asociaciones entre estas y la subescala de síntomas positivos de la Escala de los Síndromes Positivo y Negativo. Conclusiones. Las experiencias de despersonalización/desrealización aparecen con mayor frecuencia, duración e intensidad en pacientes con primeros episodios de esquizofrenia que en pacientes con múltiples episodios de la enfermedad (AU)

Introduction. The phenomena of depersonalisation/derealisation have classically been associated with the initial phases of psychosis, and it is assumed that they would precede (even by years) the onset of clinical psychosis, being much more common in the prodromal and acute phases of the illness. The aims of the present study are to analyse the differences in depersonalisation/derealisation between patients with initial and multiple episodes and the factors that could influence this. Material and methods. A descriptive, controlled and cross-sectional study of 48 patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia (20 with an initial episode and 28 with multiple episodes). These patients were assessed using scales such as the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale, the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Results. Participants with initial episodes score higher on both the Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale, and the subscale of the Dissociative Experiences Scale that evaluates such experiences. There were no associations between these types of experience and the positive symptoms subscale of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. Conclusions. Depersonalisation/derealisation experiences appear with greater frequency, duration and intensity in patients in the early stages of the illnesses, gradually decreasing as they become chronic (AU)

Depersonalisation and schizophrenia: Comparative study of initial and multiple episodes of schizophrenia. / Despersonalización y esquizofrenia: estudio comparativo entre primeros y múltiples episodios de esquizofrenia.

INTRODUCTION: The phenomena of depersonalisation/derealisation have classically been associated with the initial phases of psychosis, and it is assumed that they would precede (even by years) the onset of clinical psychosis, being much more common in the prodromal and acute phases of the illness. The aims of the present study are to analyse the differences in depersonalisation/derealisation between patients with initial and multiple episodes and the factors that could influence this. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, controlled and cross-sectional study of 48 patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia (20 with an initial episode and 28 with multiple episodes). These patients were assessed using scales such as the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale, the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, and the Dissociative Experiences Scale. RESULTS: Participants with initial episodes score higher on both the Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale, and the subscale of the Dissociative Experiences Scale that evaluates such experiences. There were no associations between these types of experience and the positive symptoms subscale of the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. CONCLUSIONS: Depersonalisation/derealisation experiences appear with greater frequency, duration and intensity in patients in the early stages of the illnesses, gradually decreasing as they become chronic.