Schizophrenia and Verbal Communication Disorders

As an archetypal form of psychosis, schizophrenia raises questions about the nature of mental representation and language, as well as about the connection with others and one's relationship to the world. This study on the assessment of communication disorders in patients with schizophrenia showed that these patients' communication impairments shared many similarities with those of patients with a right-sided brain lesion. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that these impairments had a significant functional impact, markedly reducing the subjects' autonomy and social adaptation. Finally, various associated cognitive impairments were identified, suggesting explanatory hypotheses to guide treatment. While speech-language therapy aimed at rehabilitation is still underdeveloped in psychiatry, this study tends to demonstrate the value, within the psychosocial rehabilitation program, of specific, pragmatic, and adaptive care for these patients' communication disorders, enabling the development of both their independence and social integration, and thereby improving their daily lives.