Schizophrenia is a severe, prolonged mental disorder described by instabilities in thought, perception and behavior. Schizophrenia includes a variety of cognitive, behavioural, and emotional symptoms, and can be difficult to diagnose (DSM-5) .
The DSM-5 outlines the following criterion to give a diagnosis of schizophrenia:
Individuals should display two or more of the following for at least a one month (or longer period of time):
· Delusions
· Hallucinations
· Disorganized speech
· Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
· Negative symptoms, such as diminished emotional expression
At least one of the above must be a:
Deficiency in one of the major areas of functioning for a substantial period of time since the start of the disturbance: work, interpersonal relations, or self-care.
Some signs of the disorder must last for an uninterrupted period of at least 6 months. This six-month period must include at least one month of symptoms (or less if treated) that meet criterion A (active phase symptoms) and may include periods of residual symptoms. During residual periods, only negative symptoms may be present.
Schizoaffective disorder and bipolar or depressive disorder with psychotic features have been ruled out:
Symptoms that contribute to a diagnosis of schizophrenia encompasses:
Inappropriate affect (laughing in the absence of a stimulus)
Disturbed sleep pattern
Dysphoric mood (can be depression, anxiety, or anger)
Anxiety and phobias
Depersonalization (detachment or feeling of disconnect from self)
Derealization (a feeling that surrounding aren’t real)
DSM-5
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