Schizophreniform Disorder

Question 1

criterion A schizophreniform disorder

Answer 1

at least TWO of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a ONE MONTH period (or less if successfully treated):

1. delusions
2. hallucinations
3. disorganized speech
4. grossly disorganized or catatonic behaviour
5. negative symptoms

at least one must be 1, 2, or 3.

Question 2

criterion B schizophreniform disorder

Answer 2

an episode of the disorder lasts at least ONE MONTH but LESS THAN SIX MONTHS

*when the diagnosis must be made without waiting for recovery, should be qualified as “provisional”

Question 3

criterion C schizophreniform disorder

Answer 3

schizoaffective disorder and depressive or bipolar disorder with psychotic features have been ruled out because either:

1. no major depressive or manic episodes have occurred concurrently with the active phase symptoms

or

2. if mood symptoms have occurred during active phase symptoms, they have been present for a minority of the total duration of the active and residual periods of illness

Question 4

criterion D schizophreniform disorder

Answer 4

disturbance not attributable to the physiologic effects of a substance or another medical condition

Question 5

list schizophreniform disorder specifiers

Answer 5

1. with good prognostic features
2. without good prognostic features
3. with catatonia

Question 6

under what conditions would you use the specifier “with good prognostic features” for schizophreniform disorder (i.e what are good prognostic factors)

Answer 6

specifier requires presence of at least TWO of the following:

1. onset of prominent psychotic symptoms WITHIN FOUR WEEKS of the first noticeable change in usual behaviour or functioning (i.e short or no prodrome)
2. confusion or perplexity
3. good premorbid social and occupational functioning
4. absence of blunted or flat affect

Question 7

what distinguishes schizophreniform disorder from schizophrenia

Answer 7

duration

also, schizophreniform disorder does not have a criteria requiring impairement in functioning

Question 8

under what two conditions would a dx of schizophreniform disorder be made

Answer 8

either

1. episode of illness lasts 1-6 months and individual has already recovered
   or
2. when individual symptomatic for less than the 6 months duration required for the dx of schizophrenia but has not yet recovered

Question 9

what is the incidence of schizophreniform disorder

Answer 9

five fold less than schizophrenia in the USA

Question 10

what is the course of schizophreniform disorder

Answer 10

about 1/3 will recover within the 6 mo period

majority of the remaining 2/3 will eventually receive dx of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

Question 11

what are the risk factors for schizophreniform disorder

Answer 11

genetic–> those with relatives with schizophreniform disorder