PREVALENCE OF DISSOCIATIVE SYMPTOMS AND DISORDERS WITHIN AN ADULT OUTPATIENT POPULATION WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the preva-lence of dissociative symptoms and disorders in an adult outpatient population with schizophrenia and to study the relationship between dissociative symptoms and positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Method: Consenting adult outpatients with schizophrenia from the Kingston Psychiatric Hospital in Kingston, Ontario, were administered the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). Patients scoring 25 or higher on the DES were interviewed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and two interviews for dissociative disorders: the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-1V Dissociative Disorders (SLID-D) and the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS). Results: 53 patients complet-ed the DES, and 14 (26%) scored 25 or greater. The scores on th