CATEGORY 1: DELUSIONAL DISORDER
100 — What is the core diagnostic criterion of Delusional Disorder?
Answer: One or more delusions lasting at least one month.
100 — What symptom domains comprise Criterion A for schizophrenia?
Criterion B?
Answer: Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms.
At least one of the symptoms must be (1) delusions, (2) hallucinations, or (3) disorganized speech.
Criterion B: (Social/Occupational Dysfunction): For a significant portion of the time since onset, functioning in work, relationships, or self-care is markedly below the level achieved before the onset.
100 — What is the typical age of onset for schizophrenia?
Answer: Late adolescence to early adulthood, with earlier onset in males.
100 — What is the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia?
Answer: Schizophrenia involves dysregulated dopamine transmission, particularly increased dopamine activity.
100 — What is the first-line treatment for schizophrenia?
Answer: Antipsychotic medication.
100 — What defines Schizophreniform Disorder?
Answer: Schizophrenia symptoms lasting at least one month but less than six months.
100 — What defines Brief Psychotic Disorder?
Answer: Psychotic symptoms lasting at least one day but less than one month.
200 — What schizophrenia Criterion A symptoms are absent in Delusional Disorder?
Answer: Prominent hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized behavior, and negative symptoms.
200 — What minimum Criterion A requirements must be met?
Answer: At least two symptoms, with at least one being delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech.
200 — What is the prodromal phase of schizophrenia?
Answer: A period of gradual social, cognitive, and functional decline preceding psychosis.
200 — Which dopamine pathway is associated with positive symptoms?
Answer: The mesolimbic pathway.
200 — Which symptom cluster responds best to antipsychotics?
Answer: Positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
200 — How does Schizophreniform Disorder differ from schizophrenia?
Answer: Shorter duration and functional decline is not required.
200 — What happens to functioning after Brief Psychotic Disorder?
Answer: There is full return to premorbid functioning.
300 — How is overall functioning affected in Delusional Disorder?
Answer: Functioning is relatively preserved outside the impact of the delusion.
300 — What is the required duration for schizophrenia diagnosis?
Answer: Continuous signs of disturbance for at least six months, including at least one month of active-phase symptoms.
300 — What factors predict poorer prognosis in schizophrenia?
Answer: Early onset, long duration of untreated psychosis, prominent negative symptoms, and poor premorbid functioning.
300 — Which dopamine pathway is associated with negative symptoms?
Answer: The mesocortical pathway.
300 — When is clozapine indicated?
Answer: In treatment-resistant schizophrenia or persistent suicidality.
300 — What diagnostic criteria does Schizophreniform Disorder share with schizophrenia?
Answer: The same Criterion A symptom requirements.
300 — What are common specifiers for Brief Psychotic Disorder?
Answer: With marked stressor, without marked stressor, and with postpartum onset.
400 — What are the recognized types of Delusional Disorder?
Answer: Erotomanic, grandiose, jealous, persecutory, somatic, mixed, and unspecified.
400 — Why is functional decline required for schizophrenia diagnosis?
Answer: Because schizophrenia involves deterioration in occupational, interpersonal, or self-care functioning.
400 — What do concordance rates indicate about schizophrenia?
Answer: Higher concordance in monozygotic twins indicates strong genetic contribution but incomplete heritability.
400 — Why is the dopamine hypothesis insufficient on its own?
Answer: It does not fully explain cognitive deficits, negative symptoms, or neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
400 — What is Expressed Emotion (EE)?
Answer: A family interaction pattern marked by criticism, hostility, or emotional overinvolvement.
400 — What are “good prognostic features” in Schizophreniform Disorder?
Answer: Acute onset, confusion, good premorbid functioning, and absence of blunted affect.
400 — How does Brief Psychotic Disorder differ from Schizophreniform Disorder?
Answer: Much shorter duration and complete symptom resolution.
500 — How are mood episodes handled diagnostically in Delusional Disorder?
Answer: Mood episodes may occur but must be brief relative to the duration of the delusional periods.
500 — What disorders must be ruled out before diagnosing schizophrenia?
Answer: Schizoaffective disorder, mood disorders with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis, and medical causes.
500 — What factors are associated with better prognosis?
Answer: Later onset, acute onset, good premorbid functioning, treatment adherence, and strong social support.
500 — What is the current integrated etiological model of schizophrenia?
Answer: A neurodevelopmental model involving genetic vulnerability, early brain insults, and environmental stressors.
500 — Why is Expressed Emotion clinically important?
Answer: High expressed emotion significantly increases relapse risk.
500 — Why is Schizophreniform Disorder often a provisional diagnosis?
Answer: Because symptoms may either resolve or progress to schizophrenia depending on duration and course.
500 — Why is Brief Psychotic Disorder important to diagnose accurately?
Answer: Because prognosis is generally good and long-term antipsychotic treatment may not be necessary.