The Nithsdale schizophrenia survey: I. Psychiatric and social handicaps.

A review of all known schizophrenics from a discrete geographical area, Nithsdale in Dumfries and Galloway REgion, found a point prevalence of 2.38 per 1000 of the total population; this figure fell to 1.73 when only Feighner positive schizophrenics were considered. Only 3 per cent of the population interviewed had no abnormality in mental state or behaviour; negative schizophrenic symptoms were prominent, positive symptoms uncommon. Approximately one quarter were in-patients, who were an atypical group, showing much more obvious social and psychiatric disability. In- and day patient care and state benefits for schizophrenics cost each member of the Nithsdale community approximately 12 pounds a year.