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![]() ![]() The main focus of the treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders includes medications for the relief of symptoms and the management of relapse. Neuroscientific researchers have found that individuals with schizophrenic spectrum disorders have different brain structures and physiological components from those who do not. Individuals with first-degree relatives who have a condition within the schizophrenia spectrum may be as much as 10 times higher risk of developing the symptoms of psychotic disorders. ![]() Studies have found a strong genetic connection among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and have identified various physiological conditions associated with psychosis. Medical conditions and substance use as well as other mental health conditions can lead or contribute to the severity of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. In many or most cases, it is probably better for a mental health clinician to refer clients with psychotic symptoms for a thorough medical examination.Īt the present time, researchers have not determined the cause of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Medical conditions and substance use and abuse can also lead to the onset and often the exacerbation of psychotic symptoms. The presence of positive symptoms of psychosis does not always indicate the presence of a psychotic disorder. A small minority of individuals who have a later age of onset and frequently a higher level of functioning, seem to be able to manage their symptoms more adequately over their lifetime. For about 50% of the individuals diagnosed within this category, they experience a lifelong struggle of trying to maintain their symptoms and a modest level of functioning in their lives. Individuals who experience psychotic disorders have various characteristics and experiences. These do not account for any cross-cultural considerations that are not identified in the DSM-5 but seem to be commonly found in specific cultures throughout the world. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders: PrevalenceĪccording to the APA (2013) psychotic disorders are fairly uncommon, citing prevalence rates of disorders within the schizophrenia spectrum category to range from 0.2% to 0.7%. Problems with cognitive symptoms are usually related to having a difficulty with executive functioning, memory or attention. Negative symptoms within the schizophrenia spectrum category include a lack of motivation, pleasure or engagement in what are believed to be normal activities of daily living or the normal experiencing of emotion. Disorganized or abnormal motor behavior frequently referred to as movement disorder, includes agitation, recurrent motions or an inability to respond or move in relation to specific stimuli such as with catatonia. Disorganized thoughts often referred to as thought disorder involves disruptions in thinking in such a way that communication becomes difficult. ![]() Olfactory and gustatory hallucinations often indicate a possible underlying medical problem. Auditory hallucinations seem to be the most common and tactile hallucinations are frequently associated with withdrawal or intoxication from substances. Delusions are rigid beliefs that do not seem to have any basis in reality and from which an individual cannot be persuaded otherwise. Hallucinations are sensory experiences such as visual and auditory hallucinations, olfactory hallucinations, gustatory hallucinations (tasting), or tactile or somatic hallucinations in which a person feels things that are not really there or do not seem to have an actual physical stimulus. Some of the basic positive symptoms include hallucinations and delusions, as well as thinking or movement disorders in which the individual seems to lose touch with reality. Positive symptoms involve thoughts and behaviors that you would not usually expect while negative symptoms involve the absence of expected experiences. Psychotic disorders involve a variety of both positive and negative as well as some related cognitive symptoms. These include delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder, psychotic disorder due to another medical condition and catatonia. This section includes information related to each of the specific schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders included in the DSM-5. Psychiatric diagnosis that fall within the category of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders are characterized by abnormalities in one or more of the following five categories: hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, disorganized or abnormal motor behavior (including catatonia) negative symptoms. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders DSM-5 Diagnostic Codes: Overview
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