mental health disorders
Schizophrenia
Diagnosis of Schizophrenia
A doctor's evaluation, based on specific criteria Laboratory and imaging tests to rule out other disorders No definitive test exists to diagnose schizophrenia. A doctor makes the diagnosis based on a comprehensive assessment of a person’s history and symptoms. Schizophrenia is diagnosed when both of the following are present: Two or more characteristic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, negative symptoms) persist for at least 6 months. These symptoms cause significant deterioration in work, school, or social functioning. Information from family members, friends, or teachers is often important in establishing when the disorder began. Laboratory tests are often done to rule out a Substance Use Disorders or an underlying medical, neurologic, or hormonal disorder, that can have features of psychosis. Examples of such disorders include brain tumors, temporal lobe epilepsy, thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders, Huntington disease, liver disorders, side effects of drugs, and vitamin deficiencies. Testing for substance use disorder is sometimes done. Imaging tests of the brain, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be done to rule out a brain tumor. Although people with schizophrenia have brain abnormalities that may be seen on CT or MRI, the abnormalities are not specific enough to help in diagnosing schizophrenia. In addition, doctors try to rule out a number of other mental disorders that share features with schizophrenia, such as Brief Psychotic Disorder , 