Identity alterations and prognosis in schizophrenia.

Delusions of altered personal identity were studied over a four-year period in 53 young schizophrenic in-patients divided into 13 with persistent delusions, 16 with fleeting delusions and 24 with no delusions of identity alteration at first examination. The three groups were clinically otherwise comparable. Follow-up showed that those with persistent delusions of altered identity had a poor prognosis and deteriorating course.