How is schizophrenia diagnosed?

A4: The diagnosis of schizophrenia is based on an interview with a doctor. It can be difficult to distinguish schizophrenia from certain other mental illnesses. Therefore, a medical history, physical exam, and laboratory tests are required to rule out other disorders. Doctors also may look at pictures of the brain, taken by x-ray. Symptoms provide the most important clues in making a diagnosis. Doctors will look at the type and severity of symptoms, how long they last, and what the person's life was like before symptoms appeared.

The diagnosis of schizophrenia is based on both a clinical interview assessing the patient's symptomatological profile and a careful psychiatric history assessing the course and development of the illness. These procedures allow the clinician to eliminate other possible psychiatric and medical illnesses. A physical examination and laboratory testing are required to rule out disorders that might mimic the symptoms of schizophrenia. Such disorders include amphetamine or cocaine intoxication, encephalopathies, temporal lobe epilepsy, brain tumors, hyperthyroidism, Wilson's disease, and industrial toxicities. Although there is no specific laboratory test for schizophrenia, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanning techniques can be enlightening, particularly at the first onset of symptoms.  more

There are no chemical tests for schizophrenia. Doctors make the diagnosis based on the symptoms and an interview with the individual.  more

Most people with schizophrenia are not diagnosed until a serious event or crisis happens. Diagnosis of schizophrenia is complex and can change over time as symptoms change. There are several factors that doctors consider in making a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Although some people may have trouble talking about the symptoms they experience, it's important to give your doctor as much information as possible. By far, your symptoms provide the most important clues in diagnosing your illness. Your doctor may consider the following: • The types of symptoms you're having • How severe your symptoms are • How long you've had your symptoms • What your life was like before your symptoms appeared • If you've ever had medication to treat your symptoms • If you did take medication: • Did the symptoms improve? • If your symptoms improved, how soon after you started treatment? • Did any of your symptoms disappear completely? Your doctor may use blood tests and brain scans to eliminate other ...

Schizophrenia is diagnosed primarily with a medical history and a mental health assessment. Other tests, such as blood tests or imaging tests, may be done to rule out other conditions that can mimic symptoms of schizophrenia.  more

When schizophrenia is suspected, a person will undergo an assessment that can include: • A medical/psychiatric history of the patient and family members to determine if there is a family history of schizophrenia. The patient also will be asked about any prescribed medications he or she is taking. • A physical exam to test reflexes, balance and senses, such as hearing, taste, sight and touch. A smell test may be conducted in which the patient is presented common smells and asked to identify them (many people with schizophrenia have an impaired sense of smell). • A mental status exam, in which the doctor interviews and closely observes the patient to assess their level of cognitive ability (knowledge-related), appearance, emotional mood, and speech and thought patterns at the time of evaluation.  more

• Answer: Most people with schizophrenia have a clusters of symptoms, some of which can overlap with other mental illnesses, including depression, or more commonly, bipolar disorder. For this reason, diagnosis by a psychiatrist or other mental health professional can take up to six months, during which time the patient's behaviors are monitored. In schizophrenia the patient virtually never has periods where their behavior would be considered normal.  more

How is Schizophrenia Diagnosed? Answer: The symptoms of schizophrenia can be very frightening for the person experiencing them, or for friends and loved ones observing them. If you or someone you care about experiences <a href="/od/whatisschizophrenia/f/schiz_symptoms.htm"> symptoms that suggest schizophrenia</a>, it s very important to get advice from a doctor right away. You ll need to see a psychiatrist to rule out or diagnose schizophrenia. The symptoms may indicate another illness that needs to be treated. If the diagnosis is schizophrenia it s very important to begin treatment as soon as possible in order to make the best recovery. Schizophrenia is a type of mental illness classified as a psychotic disorder. People with schizophrenia have symptoms of psychosis, which make them appear to be out of touch with reality. However, other illnesses may also involve psychotic symptoms. There is no blood test or brain scan to diagnose schizophrenia. Only some one with special training to ...  more