A schizophrenia diagnosis requires prominent delusions or hallucinations in addition to other required symptoms.

A schizophrenia diagnosis requires prominent delusions or hallucinations in addition to other required symptoms.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Only if mood symptoms present
• D. Only with catatonia

Answer: (B)

A schizophrenia diagnosis is based on a cluster of psychotic symptoms rather than a single feature. You must have at least two of the characteristic symptoms during a 1-month period, and at least one of those must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. The other symptoms can be disorganized or catatonic behavior or negative symptoms, and there must be clear social or occupational dysfunction. These symptoms plus a total disturbance lasting at least 6 months establish the diagnosis, with the active-phase symptoms lasting at least 1 month. Mood symptoms are not required, and catatonia is not necessary. So requiring prominent delusions or hallucinations in addition to other symptoms fits the diagnostic criteria, making the statement true.

A schizophrenia diagnosis is based on a cluster of psychotic symptoms rather than a single feature. You must have at least two of the characteristic symptoms during a 1-month period, and at least one of those must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. The other symptoms can be disorganized or catatonic behavior or negative symptoms, and there must be clear social or occupational dysfunction. These symptoms plus a total disturbance lasting at least 6 months establish the diagnosis, with the active-phase symptoms lasting at least 1 month. Mood symptoms are not required, and catatonia is not necessary. So requiring prominent delusions or hallucinations in addition to other symptoms fits the diagnostic criteria, making the statement true.