- Characteristic symptoms: Two
(or more) of the following, each present for a significant portion of
time during a 1-month period (or less if successfully treated):
- delusions
- hallucinations
- disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or
incoherence)
- grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
- negative symptoms (i.e., affective flattening, alogia, or
avolition)
Note: Only one Criterion A symptom is
required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice
keeping up a running commentary on the person's behavior or thoughts,
or two or more voices conversing with each other.
- Social/occupational dysfunction:
For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the
disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work,
interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level
achieved prior to the onset (or when the onset is in childhood or
adolescence, failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal,
academic, or occupational achievement).
- Duration: Continuous signs
of the disturbance persist for at least 6 months. This 6-month period
must include at least 1 month of symptoms (or less if successfully
treated) that meet Criterion A (i.e., active-phase symptoms) and may
include periods of prodromalor residual symptoms. During these
prodromal or residual periods, the signs of the disturbance may be
manifested by only negative symptoms or two or more symptoms listed in
Criterion A present in an attenuated form (e.g., odd beliefs, unusual
perceptual experiences).
- Schizoaffective and Mood
Disorder exclusion: Schizoaffective Disorder and Mood Disorder With
Psychotic Features have been ruled
out because either (1) no Major Depressive Episode, Manic
Episode,
or Mixed Episode have occurred
concurrently with the active-phase symptoms; or (2) if mood episodes
have occurred during active-phase symptoms, their total duration has
been brief relative to the duration of the active and residual periods.
- Substance/general medical
condition exclusion: The disturbance is not due to the direct
physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a
medication) or a general medical condition.
- Relationship to a Pervasive
Developmental Disorder: If
there is a history of Autistic Disorder or another Pervasive
Developmental
Disorder, the additional diagnosis of Schizophrenia is made only if
prominent delusions or hallucinations are also present for at least a
month (or less if successfully treated).
