Clinical assessment of affect in schizophrenia.

The disorder of affect has been a traditional, but subjective, diagnostic criterion for schizophrenia. This paper offers a more precise definition. A brief review of Bleuler's concepts is included as background. The face as an important indicator of schizophrenic affect is discussed. The concept of affect disorder is then reconsidered in terms of four parameters: range, mobility, appropriateness, communicability.