Diagnosis and classification of schizophrenia

• What is Criterion A for the diagnosis of schizophrenia according to DSM-V (2013)?

  Two or more symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms.
• What is the significance of bizarre delusions or specific hallucinations in Criterion A?

  Only one Criterion A symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or if hallucinations consist of a voice commenting on the person's behavior or thoughts.
• What does Criterion B of the DSM-V diagnosis of schizophrenia refer to?

  Social/Occupational dysfunction where major areas of functioning are markedly below the level achieved prior to onset.
• How long must continuous signs of disturbance persist according to Criterion C?

  Continuous signs of disturbance must persist for at least 6 months.
• What is included in the 6-month period required by Criterion C?

  The 6-month period must include at least 1 month of symptoms that meet Criterion A.
• What may occur during non-active periods of schizophrenia?

  During non-active periods, disturbance may be limited to negative symptoms or attenuated forms of two or more symptoms in Criterion A.
• What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

  • Hallucinations (auditory, visual, olfactory, tactile)
  • Delusions (paranoid, grandeur, reference)
  • Disorganized speech (derailment, incoherence)
  • Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
• What are hallucinations in the context of schizophrenia?

  Hallucinations are bizarre, unreal perceptions of the environment, often auditory but can also be visual, olfactory, or tactile.
• What are delusions in schizophrenia?

  Delusions are bizarre beliefs that seem real to the person but are not, often paranoid or involving inflated self-importance.
• What is disorganized speech in schizophrenia?

  Disorganized speech results from abnormal thought processes, leading to incoherent or nonsensical speech patterns.
• What does grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior entail?

  It includes the inability or lack of motivation to initiate or complete tasks, leading to difficulties in daily living.
• What are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

  • Speech poverty (alogia)
  • Avolition
  • Affective flattening
  • Anhedonia
• What is speech poverty (alogia) in schizophrenia?

  Speech poverty is characterized by reduced speech fluency and productivity, often reflecting slowed or blocked thoughts.
• What is avolition in the context of schizophrenia?

  Avolition is a reduction of interests and desires, leading to an inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed behavior.
• What is affective flattening?

  Affective flattening is a reduction in the range and intensity of emotional expression, including voice tone and body language.
• What is anhedonia in schizophrenia?

  Anhedonia is a loss of interest in pleasure from activities, which may be physical or social in nature.
• Why is physical anhedonia considered a more reliable symptom of schizophrenia than social anhedonia?

  Physical anhedonia does not overlap with other disorders, while social anhedonia may.
• What is the prevalence of significant negative symptoms in schizophrenia patients?

  About 1 in 3 schizophrenia patients suffer from significant negative symptoms.