Symptoms used to diagnose
The rule2+ of the symptoms below for a significant part of 1 month, at least one being delusions, hallucinations or disorganised speech, with signs of disturbance for at least 6 months.
Core symptoms
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganised speech
Other symptoms
- Grossly disorganised or catatonic behaviour
- Negative symptoms (flat emotion, low motivation)
- Withdrawal from others
- Decline in work or self-care
How diagnosis works
- At least 2 of: delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech, disorganised behaviour, 'negative' symptoms (e.g. reduced motivation or expression) — at least one being delusions, hallucinations or disorganised speech.
- Decline in functioning.
A diagnosis is made by a qualified clinician after a full assessment — this summary is to help you understand it, not to self-diagnose.
Commonly used medications
Therapies & support
- CBT for psychosis
- Family intervention
- Early intervention in psychosis services
- Supported employment
Good to know
- Any change to antipsychotic medication should be supervised by a psychiatrist.
Sources
- 01Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR)
American Psychiatric Association, 2022
- 02ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics — Chapter 6: Mental, behavioural or neurodevelopmental disorders
World Health Organization, 2022
- 03The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines
Horowitz & Taylor, Wiley-Blackwell, 2024