If mood symptoms are brief in a psychotic illness, the diagnosis is schizophrenia.

If mood symptoms are brief in a psychotic illness, the diagnosis is schizophrenia.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not enough information
• D. Mood symptoms are irrelevant to diagnosis

Answer: (B)

This is true. In schizophrenia, mood symptoms can occur but they must be brief and not dominate the illness. The diagnosis is driven by persistent psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, or behavior) lasting at least six months, with at least one month of active-phase symptoms. If mood symptoms are prominent or present for a substantial portion of the illness, another diagnosis—such as schizoaffective disorder or a mood disorder with psychotic features—would be considered. So brief mood symptoms do not exclude schizophrenia, which is why the statement is correct.

This is true. In schizophrenia, mood symptoms can occur but they must be brief and not dominate the illness. The diagnosis is driven by persistent psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, or behavior) lasting at least six months, with at least one month of active-phase symptoms. If mood symptoms are prominent or present for a substantial portion of the illness, another diagnosis—such as schizoaffective disorder or a mood disorder with psychotic features—would be considered. So brief mood symptoms do not exclude schizophrenia, which is why the statement is correct.