symptoms and classification

• Lifetime risk is 1%, increased significantly if a family member is affected
• Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia


  • hallucinations: auditory, visual or olfactory
  • delusions: can be of 'grandeur' or paranoia
  • disorganised thought and speech: 'loose associations', derailment and using make up words
  • Inappropriate affect: 'unsuitable' emotions
  • Catatonia: making bizarre body movements and striking unusual poses
• Negative symptoms of schizophrenia


  • Avolition: Loss of energy, interest or motivation
  • Alogia (speech poverty): limited or absent speech
  • Flat affect: complete lack of emotional responses
  • Social withdrawal
• Symptoms required for diagnosis under DSM IVR ( used by USA)


  • 2 or more positive symptoms for one month duration
  • continuous disturbance at least 6 months prior
• Symptoms required for diagnosis under ICD-10 (used by UK)


  2 or more negative symptoms for one month ( no need for positive symptoms)
• How might a diagnosis of schizophrenia affect a patient?


  It can impact their social, occupational, and personal outcomes
• What are the two main classification systems for schizophrenia?

  ICD and DSM
• What does ICD stand for?


  International Classification System for Diseases
• What does DSM stand for?


  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders
• How do the ICD and DSM differ in diagnosing schizophrenia?


  ICD requires no positive symptoms, while DSM requires two positive symptoms
• What is the duration of disturbance required by ICD for a schizophrenia diagnosis?


  One month
• What is the duration of disturbance required by DSM for a schizophrenia diagnosis?


  Six months