Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns and SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to Call a DoctorCoping
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Table of Contents
Signs and Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to Call a Doctor
Coping
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Undifferentiated schizophrenia was a previously-recognized subtype of schizophrenia that involved having symptoms of the condition that did not fit the characteristics of catatonic, paranoid, or disorganized schizophrenia. These conditions were once recognized asdistinct subtypesof schizophrenia, but these have been removed as separate diagnoses in the most recent version of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5-TR).
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Undifferentiated Schizophrenia Signs and Symptoms
At least one of the symptoms must be hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech.
According to the DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia, a person must have experienced these symptoms for at least a month, with the overall course lasting at least six months. Additionally, the symptoms must interfere with at least one major area of functioning—including work, school, personal relationships, or self-care.
Symptoms May ShiftA person with schizophrenia with undifferentiated features has a range of symptoms that could be from any or all the other previous symptom subtypes including:Disorganized schizophreniaCatatonic schizophreniaParanoid schizophreniaSymptoms of schizophrenia categorized as undifferentiated can be variable.
Symptoms May Shift
A person with schizophrenia with undifferentiated features has a range of symptoms that could be from any or all the other previous symptom subtypes including:Disorganized schizophreniaCatatonic schizophreniaParanoid schizophreniaSymptoms of schizophrenia categorized as undifferentiated can be variable.
A person with schizophrenia with undifferentiated features has a range of symptoms that could be from any or all the other previous symptom subtypes including:
Symptoms of schizophrenia categorized as undifferentiated can be variable.
Symptoms of schizophrenia that might have been categorized as undifferentiated include all of the following diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia:
Causes of Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
It is thought that alterations in brain chemistry and structure may be an underlying contributing or causal factor in schizophrenia.
These brain abnormalities may develop before birth but can progress later in life. The changes that have been observed in the brain of those with schizophrenia suggest that schizophrenia may be a brain disorder.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of schizophrenia (including undifferentiated type schizophrenia) is not well understood, but some things pose a higher risk associated with getting the disorder, including:
Although there is no specific lab test to diagnose schizophrenia, many types of medical tests are performed to help evaluate signs and symptoms of schizophrenia, while ruling out other disorders.
A diagnosis of schizophrenia may include many different forms of screening tools and examination measures, including:
Undifferentiated Schizophrenia Treatment
The range of treatment options for schizophrenia varies according to many different factors. The most influential factor regarding the treatment modality is the symptoms one experiences.
Medication
Treatment often involves medication—such as antipsychotic medication for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions. Examples of antipsychotic drugs include:
One of the biggest concerns with many antipsychotic medications is non-compliance on a person’s behalf. This can relate to side effects that can be troubling for some people with schizophrenia. Common side effects include:
In addition to antipsychotic medications, other drugs that may be prescribed (depending on symptoms) to a person with schizophrenia may include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychological treatment shown to be effective for a wide range of mental health problems, including:
CBT is a type of treatment modality that can help people who have schizophrenia in many ways, including helping a person:
Family Education and Support
Family education and support are aimed at helping family members and close friends of those with schizophrenia cope with the many issues involved in living with or interacting with a person with severe mental illness. This type of treatment can include many different types of modalities including:
Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC)
Coordinated specialty care (CSC) is a type of treatment that offers a multidisciplinary approach to supporting those in the early stage of schizophrenia.
Treatment modalities that may be offered as part of a CSC program include:
Substance Use Treatment
Because a large number of people with schizophrenia have been found to have a substance use disorder, a program that addresses both the mental illness and the substance use may be recommended.
This is often referred to as mental illness chemical dependency (MICD) or dual diagnosis treatment. Using substances or drinking alcohol can worsen symptoms of differentiated types of schizophrenia, so it’s vital to address any problems a person has with substance use.
If a person with schizophrenia begins experiencing symptoms that worsen and/or starts having very active hallucinations or delusions, it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional or another healthcare provider.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical intervention if the person is talking about suicide or homicide, or has had a suicide attempt.
Seek HelpIf you or a loved one is struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Seek Help
If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Helping a loved one who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia is no small undertaking. Keep in mind that there are many sources of support available. If your loved one has substance abuse and schizophrenia, you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
Other support networks include:
9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizophrenia.Iritani S.What happens in the brain of schizophrenia patients? An investigation from the viewpoint of neuropathology.Nagoya J Med Sci. 2013;75(1-2):11-28.National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing schizophrenia.Davidson M.Cognitive impairment as a diagnostic criterion and treatment target in schizophrenia.World Psychiatry.2019;18(2):171-172. doi:10.1002/wps.20651Read J, Williams J.Positive and negative effects of antipsychotic medication: an international online survey of 832 recipients. Current Drug Safety. doi:10.2174/1574886314666190301152734American Psychological Association.What is cognitive behavioral therapy?.
9 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizophrenia.Iritani S.What happens in the brain of schizophrenia patients? An investigation from the viewpoint of neuropathology.Nagoya J Med Sci. 2013;75(1-2):11-28.National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing schizophrenia.Davidson M.Cognitive impairment as a diagnostic criterion and treatment target in schizophrenia.World Psychiatry.2019;18(2):171-172. doi:10.1002/wps.20651Read J, Williams J.Positive and negative effects of antipsychotic medication: an international online survey of 832 recipients. Current Drug Safety. doi:10.2174/1574886314666190301152734American Psychological Association.What is cognitive behavioral therapy?.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizophrenia.Iritani S.What happens in the brain of schizophrenia patients? An investigation from the viewpoint of neuropathology.Nagoya J Med Sci. 2013;75(1-2):11-28.National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing schizophrenia.Davidson M.Cognitive impairment as a diagnostic criterion and treatment target in schizophrenia.World Psychiatry.2019;18(2):171-172. doi:10.1002/wps.20651Read J, Williams J.Positive and negative effects of antipsychotic medication: an international online survey of 832 recipients. Current Drug Safety. doi:10.2174/1574886314666190301152734American Psychological Association.What is cognitive behavioral therapy?.
American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizophrenia.
Iritani S.What happens in the brain of schizophrenia patients? An investigation from the viewpoint of neuropathology.Nagoya J Med Sci. 2013;75(1-2):11-28.
National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.
Cleveland Clinic.Schizophrenia.
NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing schizophrenia.
Davidson M.Cognitive impairment as a diagnostic criterion and treatment target in schizophrenia.World Psychiatry.2019;18(2):171-172. doi:10.1002/wps.20651
Read J, Williams J.Positive and negative effects of antipsychotic medication: an international online survey of 832 recipients. Current Drug Safety. doi:10.2174/1574886314666190301152734
American Psychological Association.What is cognitive behavioral therapy?.
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