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Signs & Symptoms of Undifferentiated Schizophrenia

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, more than two million American adults suffer from schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by the presence of certain bizarre behaviors and thinking that causes significant impairment in multiple areas of functioning, including social interactions, employment and school.

  1. Characteristic Symptoms

    • Undifferentiated schizophrenia requires the presence of delusions and/or hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior and certain negative symptoms. These negative symptoms include affective flattening (lack of display of emotions), alogia (lack of speech) and avolition (lack of motivation or desire).

    Mood Disorders

    • A diagnosis of undifferentiated schizophrenia requires that a diagnosis of a mood disorder--such as bipolar disorder, major depression or schizoaffective disorder--is not present.

    Duration

    • Symptoms of undifferentiated schizophrenia must persist for at least a one-month period. Signs of disturbance caused by the symptoms must persist for at least a six-month period.

    Dysfunction

    • The symptoms must cause impairment in at least one major area of functioning. These areas include work, interpersonal relationships, self-care and school.

    Substance Abuse or General Medical Conditions

    • To be diagnosed with undifferentiated schizophrenia, the symptoms may not be caused by substance abuse or a general medical condition, such as dementia.

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