Delusional Disorder, Brief psychotic disorder and Schizophreniform Disorder
Schizophrenia is widely recognized as a prominent psychotic disorder, yet there exists a spectrum of conditions characterized by psychosis and similar symptoms. Contemporary psychiatry views schizophrenia as part of a spectrum of illnesses, which includes various other psychotic disorders that may transition from one to another.
These other psychotic illnesses include the following:
- Delusional disorder: Involves the person experiencing delusions for a minimum of one month without other psychotic symptoms.
- Brief psychotic disorder: Occurs when symptoms of psychosis (auditory or visual hallucinations, paranoia) persist for more than a day but less than a month.
- Schizophreniform disorder: Occurs when symptoms of schizophrenia persist for less than six months, often preceding the development of schizophrenia by the six-month mark.
- Schizoaffective disorder: Involves symptoms of schizophrenia alongside significant mood symptoms such as depression or mania.