Hustig & Norrie,
Box 1
www.mja.com.au
© 1998 MJA
| DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia7
| A | Characteristic symptoms: Two or more of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period:
- delusions
- hallucinations
- disorganised speech (eg, frequent derailment or incoherence)
- grossly disorganised or catatonic behaviour
- negative symptoms (ie, 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 behaviour or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other. |
| B | Social/occupational dysfunction: 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 previously achieved.
|
| C | Duration: Continuous signs of the disturbance
persist for at least six months. This six-month period must include at
least one month of symptoms (or less if successfully treated) that
meet Criterion A.
|
| D | Exclusion of schizoaffective disorder and mood
disorder with psychotic features.
|
| E | Substance/general medical condition exclusion:
the disturbance is not due to the direct physiological
effects of a substance (eg, a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general
medical condition.
|
| F | Relationship to a pervasive developmental disorder:
If there is a history of autistic disorder or another
pervasive development disorder, the diagnosis of schizophrenia is
made only if prominent delusions or hallucinations are also present
for at least a month (or less if successfully treated).
|
Back to text of article . . .
|