SCHIZOPHRENIFORM DISORDER

Mental disorder with the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia but of less than six months' duration, according to DSM-IV-TR. Impairment of social or occupational functions need not be present, and the diagnosis would apply, without qualification, for an episode having a duration of one to six months, from which the patient had recovered. A provisional diagnosis applies if recovery within the six month period is not certain, and would be changed to schizophrenia if symptoms persisted beyond the six month period.