Mapping autism and schizophrenia onto the ontogenesis of social behaviour: A hierarchical-developmen
June 28th, 2008 | by admin |Mapping autism and schizophrenia onto the ontogenesis of social behaviour: A hierarchical-developmental rather than diametrical perspective.
Co-morbidity of schizophrenia and autism is low because interpersonal concerns of schizophrenic patients presuppose developmental achievements that are absent in autism. Autism may arise if primary anxiety is not overcome at a key developmental stage by affective synchronisation between infant and caregiver. Schizophrenic patients will have learned to regulate primitive anxiety by affectively attuning to narrow social networks but remain highly vulnerable to exclusion from larger groups.
Behrendt RP.
Consultant Psychiatrist, The Retreat Hospital, York, YO10 5BN, United Kingdom. rp.behrendt@btinternet.com.