Schizophrenia vs. Schizophreniform Disorder: Understanding the Key Contrasts

This article will clarify the differences between schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder, providing readers with a clear understanding of these two related but distinct mental health conditions.

Introduction

Schizophrenia and schizophreniform are both disorders that fall under the category of schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders. Both conditions are defined by abnormalities in one or more of the following areas:

1. Delusions
2. Hallucinations
3. Disorganized thoughts
4. Abnormal motor behavior
5. Negative symptoms

It is important to differentiate between schizophrenia vs. schizophreniform disorder because they have slightly different symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment approaches. One key difference between schizophrenia and schizophreniform is that one-third of those who experience an episode will recover without any further diagnosis, but the other two-thirds may go on to receive a new diagnosis for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

With an improper diagnosis, you might start working through a treatment plan that doesn’t offer as much success as it could.

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, which is the primary mental health condition under which several other psychotic disorders, including schizophreniform. Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder that impacts all areas of life, causing people to interpret reality in an abnormal way, which impairs daily function and can cause severe disabilities.

Core features and diagnosis

For a diagnosis of schizophrenia, individuals must experience the following:

• Two or more of the symptoms below must be persistent for at least one month:
  1. Delusions
  2. Hallucinations
  3. Disorganized speech
  4. Abnormal behavior
  5. Negative symptoms
• For a significant part of the symptoms, individuals must have markedly poor functioning in at least one major area of life, like self-care, interpersonal relationships, or work.
• Delusions or hallucinations that last at least two weeks should not take place with any major mood episode, such as a manic or depressive episode.

Course and duration

The first symptoms to manifest are the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Most people experience these symptoms in their 20s. Schizophrenia is a lifelong condition, which means it must be managed with the right treatment. The right treatment starts with getting a proper diagnosis of schizophreniform vs schizophrenia.

The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia is between .3% and .7%.

What is Schizophreniform Disorder?

Schizophreniform disorder is a psychotic disorder that is not as severe as schizophrenia, but it is still a common condition. Thankfully, it can be treated with medical interventions if you get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan early.

Core features and diagnosis

For a diagnosis of schizophreniform, individuals must experience the following:

• Two or more of the symptoms below must be persistent for at least one month, one of which must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech:
  1. Delusions
  2. Hallucinations
  3. Disorganized speech
  4. Abnormal behavior
  5. Negative symptoms
• An episode of the disorder has to last at least one month but not more than six months.
• The symptoms cannot be better explained by schizoaffective disorder and depressive or bipolar disorder with psychotic features because any mood episodes have only happened during active symptoms or have not occurred.
• The disturbance cannot be attributed to other medical conditions or substance abuse.

Course and duration

One difference between schizophrenia and schizophreniform is that for a schizophreniform diagnosis, a psychiatrist will specify whether there are good prognostic features or not and the severity of the psychotic symptoms.

A good prognostic feature means at least two of the following:

1. The onset of psychotic symptoms within four weeks of the first noticeable change in function or behavior
2. Confusion or perplexity
3. Good social and occupational functioning
4. Absence of flat or blunted affect

With schizophreniform disorder vs schizophrenia, nearly one-third of those who are diagnosed with schizophreniform disorder recover within the six-month period without receiving another diagnosis.

However, with schizophrenia vs schizophreniform, the remaining two-thirds eventually receive a diagnosis for either:

• Schizophrenia OR
• Schizoaffective disorder

The lifetime prevalence of schizophreniform is thought to be the same as schizophrenia, but it is more likely for those “with good prognostic features.”

Treatment and Prognosis for Schizophreniform Disorder vs. Schizophrenia

Treatment for schizophreniform disorder vs. schizophrenia can look similar depending on the circumstances.

Treatment Approaches for Schizophrenia

With schizophreniform, individuals may be advised to use the following:

Medication

Antipsychotics are used to treat psychosis symptoms that include disorganized thoughts, delusions, and hallucinations.

Therapy

Other treatments can include psychoeducation or cognitive therapy to help individuals improve social interactions and daily living skills when they experience delusions. Family counseling can also be useful in involving loved ones who provide care for someone with schizophrenia. Alternative therapies include electroconvulsive therapy. All of these are used in conjunction with medication.

Treatment for Schizophreniform Disorder

With schizophreniform, individuals may be advised to use the following:

Medication

Antipsychotics are the most common medication prescribed for the symptoms of schizophreniform disorder. These can be taken for 12 months or more, depending on the circumstances. Having a correct diagnosis here is essential because the right medication can not only relieve symptoms but prevent schizophrenic forms from developing into schizophrenia.

Therapy

Psychotherapy can help individuals cope with the symptoms they experience and change their relationship to the disorder. Certain types of psychotherapy, as well as education, can help improve daily function, especially for schizophreniform disorder, which does not have the diagnostic requirement of symptoms so severe that they interfere with daily function across several categories.

Prognosis and Long-Term Outlook

In the long term, schizophreniform disorder does not automatically become schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, but it can. If treated early, symptoms can be managed without any further diagnosis or psychotic disorder development. For those who have schizophrenia or whose schizophreniform disorder has become schizophrenia, there are still several ways to manage symptoms through medication and therapy.

Summing Up

When reviewing schizophreniform vs. schizophrenia, there are many similarities in terms of the diagnostic criteria. However, some key differences have to do with the manifestation of symptoms, progression of the disorder, and treatment. If recognized, diagnosed, and treated early, schizophreniform disorder has a reduced likelihood of developing into schizophrenia.

It is important for anyone experiencing psychotic symptoms to get a precise diagnosis and personalized treatment.