Schizophreniform Disorder

What is schizophreniform disorder?

Schizophreniform disorder is a serious mental illness. It has the same symptoms as schizophrenia and symptoms last 1 to 6 months. About half of the people first diagnosed with schizophreniform disorder are later diagnosed with schizophrenia. To be diagnosed with schizophrenia, a person must have had symptoms for at least 6 months. Others who are first diagnosed with schizophreniform disorder may later be diagnosed with a serious mental illness other than schizophrenia. However, some people who have schizophreniform disorder do not develop another mental illness, and they recover fully.

About one person in 1,000 has schizophreniform disorder during his or her lifetime.

How does it occur?

Nobody knows for sure what causes schizophreniform disorder. Brain scans show that part of the brain does not work normally in people who have this illness. The disorder may be caused by brain chemicals being out of balance or by damaged nerve cells in the brain. Stress may trigger the disorder or make it worse.

Schizophreniform disorder tends to run in families. The disorder is also more likely to develop in people whose family members have other mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

What are the symptoms?

Some of the symptoms include:

• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not really there (hallucinations)
• having false beliefs (delusions), such as that space aliens talk to you from your television set
• being suspicious of other people without good reason
• not making sense when you speak
• withdrawing or feeling isolated from other people
• not bathing or changing clothes for days at a time
• being very confused
• having problems with work or school tasks

How is it diagnosed?

You should tell your healthcare provider or a psychiatrist if you are having symptoms of this disorder. Sometimes it is hard for people with mental illness to recognize that they are not well. Take the advice of your friends or family members if they are encouraging you to seek help.

Your provider will ask about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Do not be embarrassed or afraid to tell your provider how you have been feeling. He or she will understand and care about helping you feel better. Your healthcare provider will also ask about your history of drug use and medical problems to rule those out as possible causes. He or she may also ask about your family history of medical and mental illness. If your symptoms go on for longer than 6 months, your provider will reconsider your diagnosis and design a new treatment plan.

How is it treated?

Medicine is the most common form of treatment for this disorder and can make a big difference in how you feel. Some medicines can produce side effects. Your provider will tell you what side effects to look out for. The most important part of treatment is taking medicine as prescribed. Psychotherapy may also help you learn to cope with your condition.

If your symptoms are severe, you may need to be in a hospital until symptoms improve.

How long do the effects last?

If you have schizophreniform disorder and not some other mental illness, your symptoms will get better within 6 months and you will probably recover fully. If you still have symptoms after 6 months you may have schizophrenia, which can be a lifelong illness.

What can I do to help myself?

• If you think you may forget to take your medicine, put a note where you are sure to see it or ask someone to remind you.
• Learn as much as you can about your illness, its symptoms, and ways to treat it. Most libraries and bookstores have books on mental illness.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Do not drink a lot of caffeine.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get 7 to 9 hours sleep per night.
• Do not use illegal drugs or alcohol. They can make your symptoms worse.
• Learn to manage stress.
• Contact your healthcare provider or therapist if you have any questions or your symptoms seem to be getting worse.
• Join a support group in your area or contact an organization such as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) or Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association or NMHA).

  NAMI's toll-free number is 1-800-950-NAMI. NAMI's web site address is http://www.nami.org.

  NMHA's toll-free Information Center number is 1-800-969-NMHA. NMHA's web site address is http://www.NMHA.org.

Written by Psychiatric Professional Services, Inc.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.