What is Schizophrenia?

A disorder that affects a person's ability to think, feel and behave clearly. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling.

How to Diagnose Schizophrenia?

The following criteria, as outlined by the DSM-5, must be met in order for schizophrenia to be accurately diagnosed:

The individual experiences two or more of the following for a significant portion of time during a 1-month period. And at least one of these must be (1), (2), or (3):

Delusions

Hallucinations

Disorganized speech (incoherence or derailment)

Completely disorganized or catatonic behavior

Negative symptoms, such as diminished emotional expression

For a significant amount of time since the disturbance began, level of functioning in one or more major areas (e.g., work, interpersonal relations, or self-care) is clearly below the level achieved prior to onset.

.In children or adolescents, there is a failure to achieve the expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational functioning.

.In children or adolescents, there is a failure to achieve the expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational functioning.

The disturbance cannot be better explained by schizoaffective disorder, depressive or bipolar disorder because either:

No major depressive or manic episodes have occurred concurrently with the active-phase symptoms or…

If mood episodes have occurred during active phase symptoms, it’s been for a minor amount of time.

The disturbance cannot be attributed to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse or medication) or another medical condition.

If the individual has a history of autism spectrum disorder or a communication disorder of childhood onset, the additional diagnosis of schizophrenia is only made if delusions or hallucinations as well as the other required symptoms of schizophrenia are present for a month or more.

Treatment for Schizophrenia?

As per my experience Schizophrenia is treatable and individual can lead a functional life if he or she is adherent to medication. I prefer monotherapy and prescribe medicine at minimal dose which has least side effects.