A spectrum disorder is a mental health disorder that includes a varied host of similar or connected features. The features or parts of a spectrum have similar symptoms and are often thought to be caused by the same type of action or mechanism. The spectrum disorder that is discussed in this entry is schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

The mental health disorders included within the schizophrenia spectrum include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, schizophreniform disorder, brief psychotic disorder, and psychotic disorders due to medical conditions. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), added the word spectrum to the title of this condition header. In the DSM-IV, the category was called Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders. The addition of the word ...

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