Individuals with schizophrenia often demonstrate theory of mind (ToM) impairment relative to healthy adults. However, the exact nature of this impairment (first- vs. second-order ToM and cognitive vs. affective ToM) and the extent to which ToM abilities deteriorate with illness chronicity is unclear. Furthermore, little is known about the relationships between clinical symptoms and ToM error ty...

In this article, the psycho-socio-biologically integrative concept of affect-logic, and its relevance for a comprehensive understanding and therapy of schizophrenia, is briefly presented. This concept has been developed by the author over the past 20 years, on the basis of the literature, of clinical experience and his own research into long-term evolution, rehabilitation, effects of milieu-the...

Ninety two out of one hundred cases of major depressive disorder were followed up for a period of 5 to 10 years after the index diagnosis. 36.6 per cent of the cases, had no recurrence. Out of the 63.4 per cent of the cases who had recurrences, 37.8 per cent cases turned out to be having bipolar affective disorder and remaining 25.6 per cent had major depressive disorder, recurrent type. The ch...

The diagnostic validity of the schizoaffective syndrome is assessed from a genetic vantage point. Five studies are reviewed that meet specific methodological requirements. No evidence is provided for the transmission of schizoaffective disorder as a diagnostic entity. The relationship of the schizoaffective syndrome to manic-depressive illness and to schizophrenia is unresolved, and genetic ove...

Bipolar disorders (BDs) and addictions constitute reciprocal risk factors and are best considered under a unitary perspective. The concepts of allostasis and allostatic load (AL) may contribute to the understanding of the complex relationships between BD and addictive behaviors. Allostasis entails the safeguarding of reward function stability by recruitment of changes in the reward and stress s...

Schizophrenia and Bipolar Affective disorder (BPAD) are major psychiatric illnesses. Schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of population and most commonly have its onset in early adult life. The illness leaves the patients with varying degree of cognitive, affective and psychosocial impairment. It leads to disability in social, occupational and familial domains. The long-term studies have repo...