A postscript on the 12-point flexible system for the diagnosis of schizophrenia: a report from the international pilot study of schizophrenia.

The 12-point Flexible System for diagnosing schizophrenia has undergone considerable testing and application by a number of investigative groups. Its application appears practical and the flexible attributes of the system permit the clinician or investigator to set stringency levels according to specific needs, with a reasonable prediction of the extent to which false positive and false negative classifications will be associated with this system. The present report describes the specific similarities of several other diagnostic groups to schizophrenia when this system is used. Attention is focused on the special problem of mania. The user is reminded that the Flexible System does not provide for a broad differential diagnosis, and therefore will usually be embedded in a clinical diagnostic workup providing access to all relevant information.