Emotional processing in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Persons with schizophrenia have impaired emotional processing, involving experience, expression, and recognition of emotions.


METHODS
This article reviews the historical descriptions and more recent work on emotion processing in schizophrenia.


RESULTS
Although abilities of emotional processing relate directly to interpersonal communication and psychosocial functioning, methodological issues exist in the current body of studies and resultant knowledge, which limit translation to novel treatment options.


CONCLUSIONS
Further improvement in emotion processing in persons with stable schizophrenia are unlikely to result from conventional pharmacotherapy of psychosis. New treatment modalities and behavioural interventions offer possible improvements in quality of life and psychosocial functioning.
Kohler
Christian G
CG
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Martin
Elizabeth A
EA
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003142:Communication; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005149:Facial Expression; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D011584:Psychology; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents