Question 1

Q: A patient is getting irritated, having fluctuation of emotions. He reports of hearing voices talking about his actions. He has poor eye contact with the people and wants to stay alone. These symptoms are there for more than two months. Which of the foll owing is pointing towards the diagnosis of schizophrenia and not delusional disorder?

Second person, third person auditory hallucinations. ***Second person, third person auditory hallucinations*** - **Auditory hallucinations** are a hallmark symptom of **schizophrenia**, specifically often described as voices talking about or to the patient in the third person or commenting on their actions. - These hallucinations help differentiate schizophrenia from **delusional disorder**, which is primarily characterized by non-bizarre delusions without significant hallucinations or other prominent **negative symptoms**. *Emotional problem/depression* - While **mood symptoms** can occur in schizophrenia, they are not diagnostic of the disorder itself and are often considered a comorbid feature or part of a schizoaffective presentation. - Emotional flattening and social withdrawal are considered **negative symptoms** that support a diagnosis of schizophrenia, but depression alone is nonspecific and does not confirm psychosis. *Delusion of persecution* - This is a common type of **delusional content** seen in delusional disorder, where fixed, false beliefs are the primary feature of the illness. - In schizophrenia, delusions are often present, but they are typically accompanied by other **psychotic symptoms** like hallucinations, disorganized speech, or catatonia, which are not required for a diagnosis of delusional disorder. *Symptoms are there for more than 2 months* - The duration criterion for schizophrenia requires signs of the disturbance to persist for at least **six months**, including at least one month of symptoms that meet the full diagnostic criteria. - While the duration of greater than one month is necessary for both, the presence of symptoms for two months is insufficient on its own to confirm schizophrenia versus other psychotic disorders without assessing the **nature of the symptoms**.

Question

A patient is getting irritated, having fluctuation of emotions. He reports of hearing voices talking about his actions. He has poor eye contact with the people and wants to stay alone. These symptoms are there for more than two months. Which of the foll owing is pointing towards the diagnosis of schizophrenia and not delusional disorder?

Accepted Answer

Second person, third person auditory hallucinations

Answer

Emotional problem/depression

Answer

Delusion of persecution

Answer

Symptoms are there for more than 2 months

Psychotic Disorders — MCQs

Psychotic Disorders — MCQs

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