Reviews the concept of depression in schizophrenia, looking at the current information on etiology, classification, and management. Depressive features may precede the 1st appearance of schizophrenic phenomena, may coexist with the acute phase of the illness, may occur for the 1st time in the post-psychotic phase of the illness, or may occur as the 1st indicator of impending relapse. This article reviews the problems of definition and assessment, as well as the impact of personality and life events. It also throws light on post-psychotic depression when acute schizophrenic symptoms are in remission. Contrary to earlier studies, depression does not signify better outcome of schizophrenia as recent studies are showing. Lastly, the implication of the use of neuroleptics in the etiology and the treatment of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia is discussed.