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The authors describe the evaluation and follow-up of matched samples of borderline and schizophrenic patients to determine the ways that borderline disorders are similar to or different from schizophrenia. The borderline patients presented more confusing diagnostic pictures, but they could be differentiated from the schizophrenic patients by the absence of definite or prolonged psychotic episode, by the relative severity of their dissociative experiences, by more severe anger, and by less anxiety. Despite the discrepant symptom pictures of the two patient groups, a systematic review of prehospitalization functioning and two-year posthospitalization course did not reveal significant differences between them.

The authors examined the type and frequency of prodromal symptoms in 47 cases of schizophrenic relapse during which 30 patients were drug free and 17 were medicated. The findings indicate that clinicians who use patient and family reports can identify prodromal symptoms as they occur.