Overview
Rare psychiatric disorders characterised by disturbances in thinking, perception, affect, and behaviour beginning in childhood or adolescence.
Diagnostic criteria overview
- Criterion a: characteristic symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behaviour, negative symptoms
- Criterion b: social or academic dysfunction
- Criterion c: duration of at least six months
- Criterion d: not better explained by another condition
Symptoms
- Delusions or false beliefs
- Hallucinations (auditory, visual)
- Disorganized thinking or speech
- Emotional withdrawal, flat affect
- Decline in academic or social functioning
Impact on functioning
- Decline in academic performance
- Difficulty following routines or instructions
- Withdrawal from peers and family interactions
- Reduced emotional responsiveness
- Increased dependence on adult supervision