Organization as a unifying concept in schizophrenia.

Abstract

Introduction The purpose of this paper is to introduce a concept by means of which it may be possible to demonstrate some communality in the seemingly conflicting theories of schizophrenia. Although the data and hypotheses about schizophrenia come from numerous scientific disciplines, and although the total research in this area can never fit into any single theory or program, it still may be possible to show how the various viewpoints are vitally interrelated. The most recent Bellak 4 volume, reviewing the syndrome of schizophrenia, lists well over 4,000 articles and books on the subject. In contrast to this impressively large list of publications, there persists among the workers in this area a feeling that a clear understanding of schizophrenia still remains to be achieved. The experts, not to mention the novices, are often disturbed by the many seemingly contradictory findings and proposals advanced by the proponents