This term refers to a group of mental disorders which can be diagnosed, and are similar to each other in terms of onset, course, symptoms, levels of impairment, treatment response and outcome. In addition to schizophrenia, the disorders include:
Schizophreniform Disorder
The diagnostic criteria for schizophreniform disorder are the same as those for schizophrenia, except that the duration of impairment is less than six months. Most people who have been diagnosed with schizophreniform disorder will eventually develop schizophrenia.
Schizoaffective Disorder
The main feature that distinguishes schizoaffective disorder is the presence of a mood episode that has been present for a substantial amount of time since the person has been ill, but not necessarily all of the time. The mood and psychotic episodes are present to an equal degree with neither predominating. A mood episode is a period of time in which the person has experienced significant symptoms of depression or mania. Common symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness, guilt, helplessness and/or worthlessness, change in appetite, lack of concentration, difficulty in sleeping or excessive sleeping, loss of energy and an inability to experience pleasure. Symptoms of mania include increased irritability, hostility, grandiosity (inflated feelings of self worth), high levels of energy, irrationality and a decreased need for sleep.
