Comparative study of schizophrenic patients relapsed on and off medication.

The frequency of stressful life events, the characteristic psychopathological features, and the course of relapse were studied in 22 schizophrenic patients who relapsed while on maintenance neuroleptic medication and 27 noncompliant patients off treatment. The patients who relapsed while on neuroleptics experienced more independent life events, mainly losses and family conflicts, in the months preceding admission. Patients who relapsed while not on drugs were characterized by a more severe psychopathological picture dominated by positive symptoms at admission. Schizophrenic patients who relapsed on medication showed greater improvement and required shorter hospitalization.