Advances in Psychiatric Treatment (2009) 15: 372-379. doi: 10.1192/apt.bp.108.005629
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Depression in schizophrenia and early psychosis: implications for assessment and treatment

Rachel Upthegrove

Rachel Upthegrove is a consultant psychiatrist for South Birmingham Early Intervention Service and an honorary clinical senior lecturer at the University of Birmingham. Dr Upthegrove has been a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists since 1999 and became a College tutor in 2007. Her research interests include insight in schizophrenia and affective disturbance in first-episode psychosis.

Correspondence: Correspondence Dr Rachel Upthegrove, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust, Early Intervention Service, 1 Miller Street, Aston, Birmingham B6 4NF, UK. Email: rachel.upthegrove{at}bsmht.nhs.uk

Depression in schizophrenia has been a neglected field for some time, but much evidence exists as to the common occurrence of affective disturbance in so-called non-affective psychosis. Depression is related to poor outcome in terms of functional recovery, relapse rate and suicide, and there is increasing evidence that it also precedes the onset of first-episode psychosis for many individuals. This article reviews recent steps forward in the evidence base for depression in schizophrenia in terms of prevalence, importance, assessment and treatment implications, with the aim of providing useful information for practising psychiatrists.