]> 2026-07-31T09:40:10+00:00 WBR0036 0 en Paranoid personality disorder Schizophreniform disorder Schizophreniform disorder is the diagnosis ascribed to individuals whose behavior is consistent with schizophrenia, with the absence of manic or depressive mood, and whose symptoms last more than 1 month but less than 6 months. Brief psychotic disorder Schizophrenia This patient has many symptoms consistent with schizophrenia, such as delusions and auditory hallucinations. For the diagnosis of schizophrenia to be made, however, symptoms must last longer than 6 months. Schizoaffective disorder The patient's symptoms do not include any major mood disorders, such as manic or depressive episodes. For the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder to be made, the DSM 5 criteria require that the patient have a prominent mood disorder that occur during the majority of the total active and residual course of the disease. This is in contrast to older DSM reports on episodic occurrences of mood disorders in patients with symptoms of schizophrenia. Behavioral Science/Psychiatry Gonzalo Romero, M.D. (Reviewed by Will Gibson and Yazan Daaboul) A 26-year-old man is brought by his girlfriend to his primary care physician because she is concerned he has been acting odd lately. She reports that he has been very socially withdrawn for the last 3 weeks. She also describes several instances where he keeps whispering: "Aliens are chasing me and want to get me; I hear them talking about me." His employer called him several times in the past week complaining about his job performance and frequent absences. His girlfriend denies he has had any trauma, exposure to alcohol or illicit substances, or mood disturbances. His family history is remarkable for an uncle with schizophrenia. His blood pressure is 126/74 mmHg, heart rate is 74/min, and temperature is 36.9 °C (98.4 °F). He has a flat affect, appears unkempt, and laughs inappropriately. What is the most likely diagnosis? C General Principles 2020-10-27T23:07:39Z 2459150.4636458 WBR0036