1. Delusions. 2. Hallucinations. 3. Disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence). 4. Grossly disorganized or catatonic behaviour. 5. Negative symptoms (i.e., diminished emotional expression or avolition). At least one of these must be (1), (2), or (3). In those situations in which the active phase symptoms remit within a month in response to treatment. Criterion A is still met if the clinician estimates that they would have persisted in the absence of treatment. Schizophrenia involves impairment in one or more major areas of functioning which leads to further assessment Criteria B: If a significant quota of the time since the start of the disturbance, level of functioning in one or more major areas, such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care, is distinctly below the level attained preceding to the onset (or when the onset is in childhood or adolescence, there is failure to reach expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational functioning). Comparing the individual with unaffected siblings may be helpful. The dysfunction continues for a considerable period during the course of the disorder and does not seem to be a straight result of any single feature. .
Avolition (i.e., reduced drive to pursue goal-directed behaviour; Criterion A5) is associated to the social dysfunction referred to under Criterion B. There is also durable indication for a relationship between cognitive impairment and functional impairment in individuals with schizophrenia. These discrepancies can contain decrements in declarative memory, working memory, language function, and other executive functions, as well as slower processing speed. Abnormalities in sensory processing and inhibitory capacity, as well as declines in attention, are also found. .
Criteria C: Continuous signs of the disturbance persevere for at least 6 months. This 6-month period must include at least 1 month of symptoms (or less if successfully treated) that meet Criterion A (i.