Last reviewed: 2 Jun 2022
Last updated: 18 May 2018
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- positive symptoms
- negative symptoms
- disorder of perception
- delusions
- disturbances in emotions
- disorders of stream and form of thought
- cognitive abnormalities
- deficit symptoms
More key diagnostic factors
Other diagnostic factors
- neurological deficit
- family history
- disorders of behavior
Other diagnostic factors
Risk factors
- family history of schizophrenia
- substance use
- age of the father at patient's birth
- psychological stress
- environment
More risk factors
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- urine drug screen
- sexually transmitted disease screening
- complete blood count
- thyroid function tests
More 1st investigations to order
Investigations to consider
- laboratory studies to exclude organic causes
- CT/MRI head
- EEG
More investigations to consider
Treatment algorithm
ACUTE
acute psychotic episode
ONGOING
multiple-episode disorder
Contributors
Authors
Robert G. Bota, MD

Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
University of California
Irvine
CA
Disclosures
RGB declares that he has no competing interests.
Adrian Preda, MD

Health Sciences Professor
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
Irvine
CA
Disclosures
AP declares that he has no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Kemal Sagduyu, MD
Professor of Psychiatry
University of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City
MO
Disclosures
KS declares that he has no competing interests.
William T. Regenold, MDCM
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore
MD
Disclosures
WTR declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Schizophrenia
- Substance-induced psychotic disorder
- Dementia with psychosis
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, 10th rev (ICD-10)
- Psychosis and schizophrenia in children and young people: recognition and management
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