My pdoc has reassessed and says it’s more likely I have schizophreniform than bipolar. I’ve been searching the Internet to try and understand what it is. Is this the first stages of schizophrenia? Has anyone else had this diagnosis? Any help greatly appreciated.
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Schizophreniform disorder is a mental disorder diagnosed when symptoms of schizophrenia are present for a significant portion of the time within a one-month period, but signs of disruption are not present for the full six months required for the diagnosis of schizophrenia
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All it means is that you have experienced the symptoms of schizophrenia for a vast period of time within a month, but not the full six months which is required for a diagnoses of schizophrenia.
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Thanks @Big-guns and @Hybrid, that’s what I’d read but it doesn’t make sense to me. My psychotic break started 10 months ago and I’m still getting visits from God and Jesus from time to time. Also, if they medicated me 3 months after the delusions and hallucinations began, how could they tell it would not go on for 6 months? It’s all a bit confusing. I would have thought they’d just call it schizophrenia then?
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Most people diagnosed with Schizophreniform are later diagnosed with Schizophrenia.
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You are most likely on your way to receiving a diagnoses of schizophrenia then, but it isn’t a certainty. Plus, it seems that a lot of us are continuously having our diagnoses changed, that’s why it’s best to focus on your symptoms and how you treat them rather than the diagnoses itself.
All of the psychiatrists I have ever seen will typically only give a ‘working diagnoses’ due to the fact that they do constantly change, I think it’s ridiculous, but that’s mental health services for you haha, it’s just the way things are.
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Mental health iz always complex…i think its better to take medication …lebelling is always hard …happy u trust ur doc…
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I really don’t understand the difference between schizophreniform and an acute psychotic break. Both (if I understand correctly) are temporary periods of psychosis that the individual is supposed to recover from and go on to lead a normal life. I guess schizophreniform just lasts a bit longer?
Or maybe schizophreniform is what they call it when they highly suspect the person has sz but just hasn’t shown symptoms long enough to prove it?
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I agree! I also think it’s crazy that behind every psychotic break there are about 4 or 5 different diagnoses you can end up with.
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There are also soooo many different things that can cause psychotic symptoms I feel at times it can be dangerous to lump them all under one diagnosis.
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I know, the whole list of illnesses that can cause psychosis is pretty long too. After 15 years with this disorder I’m still hoping they will find a biological cause for it and cure me outright.
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I got schizophreniform diagnose in hospital. 7 yeats ago.
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Thanks everyone, that has really helped. I dreamt about this last night and am feeling much better about it today. I guess time will tell to see if they stick with the diagnosis or whatever.
I know some people just see it as labels, but my pdoc said that they will change the management plan based on what they think I have. With schizophreniform they might trial me off medication to see how I go after a year or two, whereas with the bipolar diagnosis they would leave me on the medication indefinitely so there is a bit of a difference.
Did it stay as schizophreniform or did they change it to schizophrenia @Comatose?
i am hoping them as well…!!
What’s the deal @far_cry0? I think we have a better chance of winning the lottery today.
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Yoga might help. Have you read about it? Helps with cognition and disruption in perception.
They don’t make a yoga pose strong enough for this ■■■■
I have sz today. My symptoms persist. I hear voices even though I am on meds. I also have negative symptoms.