Schizophreniform Report: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

This report provides an overview of Schizophreniform, a psychotic disorder. It begins by defining the condition and differentiating it from schizophrenia, highlighting that the primary difference is the duration of symptoms. The report details the diagnostic criteria, which includes an interview and assessment tools, referencing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Additionally, it discusses the importance of ruling out organic pathology, such as structural brain abnormalities. Finally, the report touches on the prevalence of the condition, the affected population, and the common symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. The report also cites supporting references that include studies and medical journals.

Running head: SCHIZOPHRENIFORM 1
Schizophreniform
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SCHIZOPHRENIFORM 2
Schizophreniform
Schizophreniform according to the World Health Organization and the Centre for Disease
Control and prevention, is a disorder where an individual fails to differentiate between reality
and hallucinations. The onset of the condition is between 18 and 24 years in men while for
women, it is between 24 and 35 years (Coryell, 2016). According to studies, the risk factors
include genetics, disturbances of the brain circuits and environment full of stress. It affects more
than 2 million people globally with men (12 million) being affected the most than women (9
Million) (Bumb, Solojenkina, & Zink, 2015). Common signs and symptoms include delusions,
hallucinations and loss of pleasure in life.
At the moment, there are no laboratory tests for diagnosis of Schizophreniform.
Diagnosis is however through the doctor and psychiatrist using an interview and assessment
tools to evaluate an individual who presents with signs and symptoms for psychotic disorder
(Coryell, 2016). They are then compared against the Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders published by American Psychiatric Association (Woodberry, Kline, & Giuliano,
2018). If a person has experienced similar signs and symptoms to schizophrenia, then that is the
diagnosis for Schizophreniform
The differential diagnosis begins by ruling out organic pathology. This can be done
through CT or MRI to rule out structural brain abnormalities. Finally, Schizophreniform and
schizophrenia have similar signs and symptoms (Coryell, 2016). The difference between the two
is duration of signs and symptoms. In Schizophreniform, the symptoms are visible for less than
six months.

SCHIZOPHRENIFORM 3
References
Bumb, J. M., Solojenkina, X., & Zink, M. (2015). Schizophreniform Psychosis During
Treatment With Alitretinoin. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 35(5), 612.
doi:10.1097/jcp.0000000000000377
Coryell, W. (2016). Schizoaffective and Schizophreniform Disorders. The Medical Basis of
Psychiatry, 121-135. doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2528-5_7
Woodberry, K. A., Kline, E., & Giuliano, A. J. (2018). Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders.
Oxford Handbooks Online. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190634841.013.17