Linguistic findings in persons with schizophrenia-a review of the current literature

Abstract

Introduction: Alterations of verbalized thought occur frequently in psychotic disorders. We characterize linguistic findings in individuals with schizophrenia based on the current literature, including findings relevant for differential and early diagnosis.

Methods: Review of literature published via PubMed search between January 2010 and May 2022.

Results: A total of 143 articles were included. In persons with schizophrenia, language-related alterations can occur at all linguistic levels. Differentiating from findings in persons with affective disorders, typical symptoms in those with schizophrenia mainly include so-called "poverty of speech," reduced word and sentence production, impaired processing of complex syntax, pragmatic language deficits as well as reduced semantic verbal fluency. At the at-risk state, "poverty of content," pragmatic difficulties and reduced verbal fluency could be of predictive value.

Discussion: The current results support multilevel alterations of the language system in persons with schizophrenia. Creative expressions of psychotic experiences are frequently found but are not in the focus of this review. Clinical examinations of linguistic alterations can support differential diagnostics and early detection. Computational methods (Natural Language Processing) may improve the precision of corresponding diagnostics. The relations between language-related and other symptoms can improve diagnostics.

Keywords: differential diagnostics; early detection; formal thought disorder; language; linguistic categories; natural language processing; psychosis; schizophrenia.