Criteria For Schizophrenia

Criteria For Schizophrenia

A Characteristic symptoms

Either one or more of the following:

1. Bizarre delusions. Clearly implausible and non-understandable

delusions, including delusions of control over mind and body

2. Hallucinations in the form of voices commenting or conversing

Or two or more of the following

1. Other delusions

2. Other hallucinations occurring in a clear sensorium (sum of

perception)

3. Disorganized speech

4. Grossly disorganized or catatonic behaviour

5. Negative symptoms. That is, flat affect, alogia (poverty of speech),

avolition

The characteristic symptoms must be present for a significant

proportion of time throughout a one-month period, or less if

successfully treated. This is the active phase. There may also be

prodromal (early symptoms) or residual phases during which time

either negative symptoms alone or at least two attenuated (weakened)

characteristic symptoms are present.

B Social/occupational dysfunction

For a significant period of time since the onset of the disturbance

one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal

relationships or self-care is markedly below that before onset.

C Six-month duration

Continuous signs of disturbance for at least 6 months including an

active phase of at least 1 month (or less if treated). Exclusion criteria

include mood disorder and pervasive developmental disorders such

as Asperger’s syndrome and autism. Organic disorders also preclude

diagnosis, which can be confusing as many consider the disorder to

be organic.

The DSM contains five sub-classifications of schizophrenia

n Paranoid type: Delusions and hallucinations are present but

thought disorder, disorganized behaviour, and affective flattening

are absent (DSM code 295.3/ICD code F20.0)

n Disorganized type: ‘hebephrenic schizophrenia’ in the ICD.

Thought disorder and flat affect are present together (DSM code

295.1/ICD code F20.1)

n Catatonic type: Prominent psychomotor disturbances are evident.

Symptoms can include catatonic stupor and waxy flexibility (DSM

code 295.2/ICD code F20.2)

n Undifferentiated type: Psychotic symptoms are present but the

criteria for paranoid, disorganized, or catatonic types have not

been met (DSM code 295.9/ICD code F20.3)