In order to evaluate the peculiar features of a population of compulsorily admitted (CA) versus voluntarily admitted (VA) schizophrenics, the psychopathological status, disability measure and sociodemographic characteristics were recorded for the two studied groups. Among other assessed variables only the total score of the Current Behavioral Schedule (CBS), used as a global index of impairment, differentiated the two groups, CA patients being the more severely impaired. The severity of the CBS measure correlated with the length of current hospitalization in the CA but not in the VA group.