Schizophreniform Disorder: Definition, Symptoms, And Treatment Options

Many people are familiar with schizophrenia, a serious mental health condition that primarily manifests as symptoms of psychosis. However, it’s not as widely known that there are two other, related disorders that have similar symptoms but are classified differently due to symptom duration. Brief psychotic disorder is one, which describes sudden onset psychosis that lasts for less than a month. Schizophreniform disorder is the other, and it refers to when the psychosis lasts more than one month but less than six months—compared to schizophrenia, which is a life-long condition. Let’s take a closer look at the specific characteristics of schizophreniform disorder in particular.

Symptoms of schizophreniform disorder

Schizophreniform disorder is estimated to affect only 0.4–1% of the population. Symptoms of this disorder are similar to those that an individual with schizophrenia will experience, but they’re typically less severe and don’t last as long. 

A person with schizophreniform disorder may or may not experience all of the symptoms above. They might, for example, primarily experience only two, while others may feel the effects of most or everyone. Symptoms may come on gradually or suddenly.

Causes of schizophreniform disorder

As with most mental illnesses, researchers believe that schizophreniform disorder is caused by multiple factors—though much remains to be understood about this. One contributing factor could be an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Genetics seem to play a role as well, as an individual with biological relatives who have schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder may be at higher risk of developing it themselves. In fact, researchers have uncovered a particular gene they believe could be responsible for the onset of schizophrenia and related disorders. It’s called C4, and it appears to accelerate the natural process of pruning unnecessary neural connections to a point that causes cognitive impairment. Finally, complications during birth, such as premature labor or a low birth weight, may also increase a person’s risk of developing such a condition later in life.

It’s also important to note that certain habits or events can trigger the onset of this disorder in someone who is already at a higher risk of developing it. Stressful or traumatic life events can be the catalyst, such as the loss of a loved one, a divorce, unemployment, or abuse. Drug use—especially cannabis, cocaine, LSD, and amphetamines, according to the National Health Service (NHS)—may also increase an individual’s chances of developing schizophreniform disorder or schizophrenia. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in any form, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for immediate support, advice, and assistance.

The SAMHSA National Helpline for substance use issues is available 24/7 and can be reached by calling (800) 662-4357.

How schizophreniform disorder is diagnosed

It’s virtually always recommended that those who experience symptoms of this disorder should seek professional treatment as soon as possible. A qualified medical provider will usually start by conducting a physical examination and a series of tests in order to determine whether there’s a physical health condition that may be causing the symptoms. If not, they will typically refer the individual to a psychiatrist or psychologist for further evaluation. That professional may compare the individual’s symptoms to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to determine whether a mental illness in this category may be at play. If so, they’ll usually monitor the individual’s symptoms over time to decide whether they qualify as brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disorder, or schizophrenia. 

Treatment for schizophreniform disorder

The first aim of treatment for schizophreniform and related disorders is to ensure safety. If a person may be at risk of harming themselves or others, it’s possible they may need to be hospitalized until they can be stabilized. After that, the goal of treatment will be to help mitigate or eliminate symptoms so that the individual can enter remission, and to prevent future relapses. To this end, treatment for schizophreniform disorder usually involves some combination of medication and psychotherapy. 

Anti-psychotic medications are commonly used to help the individual manage psychotic symptoms in particular, which can be some of the most distressing and disruptive. Talk therapy can help a person come to terms with their diagnosis and learn healthy coping mechanisms for handling everyday challenges related to the illness. Family therapy is also sometimes recommended so that an individual’s loved ones can learn more about their disorder in order to better support them. If a diagnosis of schizophreniform is given (rather than schizophrenia), a person may be able to gradually decrease their medication dosage over time under the direction and supervision of their psychiatrist. However, they’ll usually also receive information on signs of relapse to watch for in the future.

Although treatment can be effective, those who have schizophreniform or related disorders often face significant stigma that may prevent them from seeking help or continuing with their prescribed regimen. They may also face financial barriers to care. In cases like these, online therapy may represent a useful, effective tool, as suggested by recent research. While the guidance of a psychiatrist or other medical professional is usually recommended for someone with symptoms of a disorder like this, online therapy can be another helpful avenue of support in addition. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can meet with a licensed therapist via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from the comfort of home. Session costs are comparable to most insurance co-pays.