Autism in Schizophrenia and Its Original Link to Self-Disorder: Returning a Borrowed Concept
This academic paper traces the historical origins of the term 'autism' coined by Eugen Bleuler in 1910 to describe schizophrenia, and how the concept was later borrowed to describe autism spectrum disorder, leading to diagnostic confusion. The authors argue that autistic features in schizophrenia differ fundamentally from autism spectrum disorder—rooted in self-disorder rather than developmental autism—and propose this distinction is crucial for accurate differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment.