In the studies on the origins of schizophrenia, the constitutional, cardiovascular, endocrinological, and neuropathological researches have lost ground. On the other hand, the genetic, biochemical, and neurophysiological approaches have gained support.

Although primary process mechanisms continue to function in these children for a period of time longer than in normal circumstances, the primary process is eventually overcome and to a very large extent is replaced by secondary process mechanisms.

Because the early experiences have made the future patient awkward socially, clumsy in his activities, and somewhat inadequate in coping with life in general, his defects become more evident in adolescence and later, when he has to deal with a greater range of situations.

The fourth, psychotic, period of schizophrenia covers the whole psychosis, from its onset to termination.

The schizophrenic patient to be reported in detail in this chapter was never seen by the author, nor discussed in supervision with other colleagues. This chapter illustrates how much, in some instances, we can learn about the psychodynamics of schizophrenia from the special perspective of a close member of the family.

The psychodynamic study of these cases is hindered by several difficulties. The first is the rarity of these cases. Whereas in the past catatonic patients were quite numerous, now they have drastically diminished in number. The second difficulty lies in the manifest symptomatology, which lends itself to a psychodynamic study much less than do other types of schizophrenia.

The case of a patient suffering from schizophrenia manifesting as a syndrome in which the paranoid defenses failed to arrest the process, which proceeded toward a rapid regression will be illustrated.

Postpartum schizophrenic and schizophrenic-like psychoses must be considered in a larger frame of reference that includes all psychiatric conditions occurring after childbirth. The relations between pregnancy-labor-puerperium and the occasional occurrence of psychiatric conditions must be investigated.

This chapter presents a general description of schizophrenia, and then discusses the various types.