Diagnosis

Reaching a diagnosis of schizophrenia or other serious mental illness is not a simple process.

For a psychiatrist to diagnose schizophrenia, the person must be showing that his or her thought patterns, perceptions, emotions and behaviour have changed. He or she might be showing some of the signs and symptoms mentioned above, such as hallucinations, delusions or apathy.

It must also be clear to the psychiatrist that these symptoms and behaviour have followed a recognisable pattern over a period of time. For example, the person must have shown, as a result of his or her illness, a decreased ability to work, to relate to others or to take care of him or herself.

Continuous signs of the illness must have been present for at least six months, and for that reason medical and/or nursing staff should discuss with carers the recent history of the person they care for.