What Is Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder?

A schizophrenia spectrum disorder is a mental disorder that has some symptoms in common with schizophrenia.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of schizophrenia include positive symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thoughts and speech; negative symptoms like emotional and behavioral disturbances; and cognitive symptoms like difficulty paying attention, and understanding and utilizing information.

Types

• There are different schizophrenia spectrum disorders, including schizotypal personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophreniform disorder.

Cause

• The cause of schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders is unclear, although brain chemistry, genetics, and environment may be factors.

Treatment

• Symptoms of schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders may be treated by medication and therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy may be used in severe cases if other treatments do not work.

Warning

• Those with a schizophrenic spectrum disorder may be at an increased risk of drug addiction, depression, anxiety or developing schizophrenia.