Underlying the manifold symptoms of schizophrenia certain common disturbances of a functional nature, namely distortions of body image and a deficient sense of selfeffectiveness, have been generally recognized as of central importance.1 Langfeldt2 and other European authors differentiate schizophrenia from the schizophreniform psychoses on basis of clear ideas and feelings of passivity in the patient, resulting, among other things, in "thought-reading," and "thought-stealing," derealization and depersonalization. Marked feelings of passivity, lack of autonomy, and a sense of being controlled by others can be recognized also in schizophrenics with a more favorable prognosis who would be classified as schizophreniform according to these criteria.
Body image has been variously defined, the emphasis being chiefly on sensory perceptions coming from the skeletal muscular system and the surface of the body. Kolb3 suggested the need to include other sensory perceptions, including sensations coming from