The emergence of primary negative symptoms: relevance of timing?

Chen, Eric Yu Hai; Wong, Stephanie Ming Yin; Hui, Christy Lai Ming; Suen, Yi Nam; Chan, Sherry Kit Wa · Br J Psychiatry · 2023

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

Negative symptoms are an important symptom dimension in schizophrenia that are often least responsive to antipsychotic medications. We revisit the current practice of identifying 'primary' negative symptoms and suggest that its concept would benefit from a further elaboration of their timing of emergence in relation to the dynamic neurobiological changes to enhance their utility in clinical decision-making and research.

Medical subject headings