A 28-year-old man has been experiencing auditory hallucinations, persecutory delusions, and disorganized speech for the past 7 months. He had a 2-week prodromal period of social withdrawal before the active psychotic symptoms began. His symptoms have been continuously present. According to DSM-5, which specifier BEST applies to his current illness course?
- A Multiple episodes, currently in acute episode
- B First episode, currently in acute episode ✓
- C First episode, currently in partial remission
- D Continuous
Correct answer: B. First episode, currently in acute episode
Explanation
DSM-5 requires at least 6 months of symptoms (including prodrome) for schizophrenia diagnosis. This patient's first episode is currently in the acute phase (active positive symptoms present). 'First episode, currently in acute episode' is the correct specifier because this is his first identified episode and he is currently experiencing active psychosis. 'Continuous' applies when symptoms meeting diagnostic criterion A persist throughout the entire illness course without remission periods.
Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.