ABSTRACT
To examine the variations in the frequency and contents of delusions and hallucinations in schizophrenia and correlates the significant findings with other studies across culture. Case series study. Psychiatry Department CMH Kharian for four year duration. Eighty consecutive patients of schizophrenia [62 men and 18 women] were registered and evaluated for frequency of different delusions and hallucinations. The patients belonged to central Punjab [Pakistan]. DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were used for diagnosis. Most patients i.e. 72.25% belonged to lower social class. Auditory hallucinations were the commonest [81.25%] followed by tactile hallucinations [14.75%] and visual hallucinations [7.5%]. Delusions of persecution were found in very high percentage [91.25%] delusions of reference in 42.5% and delusions of control in 31.25%. The patients believed that they were influenced by magic, demons and pirs. First rank symptoms of schizophrenia were present in 76.25% of patients; made affect, made impulse and made volition were present in [40.8%] and somatic passivity were present in [18%] of cases. Sociocultural background of the patients is likely to contribute in shaping the phenomenology of delusions and hallucinations and it is recommended that more elaborate/different diagnostic criteria may be designed for diagnosis of schizophrenia in developing countries