The Schizophrenia Spectrum

Schizophrenia spectrum conditions can be very debilitating to a person, their family, and their community. They can affect how someone thinks, socializes, and perceives their world. If you have seen one person with schizophrenia, you have only seen one person with schizophrenia. One of the hallmark characteristics of schizophrenia spectrum conditions is psychosis. However, one of the most features of these conditions is the impact it can have on one’s social and cognitive functioning.

Statistics

• Risk in general population is 1%
• Risk of schizoaffective disorder: 0.5%

Diagnosis

Schizophrenia

• At least 1 month of hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech/behaviors that occur in the presents of other challenges (withdrawal behavior or cognitive challenges) that occur for more than a 6-month period.

Schizophreniform Disorder

• Similar challenges like schizophrenia, but symptoms last between 1 and 6 months.

Brief Psychotic Disorder

• Having hallucinations or delusions for no more than a one month period.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A condition characterized by both mood (mania or depression) challenges and psychosis. However, to qualify for this condition:

• There needs to be a period in which psychotic symptoms are present for no less than a two-week period without mood symptoms present.
• Symptoms of a major mood episode (mania or depression) must be present for most of the illness.

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