Schizophreniform Disorder

Schizophreniform Disorder

Schizophreniform Disorder

Schizophreniform disorder is a mental health condition characterized by psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking, disorganized speech, and behavioral disturbances which exist for at least one month and for fewer than six months.

Schizophrenia vs Schizophreniform Disorder

A distinction between schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder is that occupational, academic, and/or social functioning is impaired in schizophrenia whereas this isn’t necessarily the case with schizophreniform disorder.

The duration of the active and residual psychotic symptoms is the main difference between schizophreniform disorder and schizophrenia, with schizophrenia symptoms lasting longer than six months. Moreover, schizophrenia often begins gradually — over a number of months or years — whereas schizophreniform disorder can begin quite rapidly.

Prevalence

The male to female ratio of schizophreniform disorder is 1:1. The onset of symptoms in men is typically between the ages of 18 to 24 and in women 18 to 35. The rates of schizophreniform disorder are higher in developing countries compared to developed countries.