According to DSM-5, which temporal requirement must be met to diagnose schizoaffective disorder rather than schizophrenia with mood episodes?
- A Hallucinations or delusions must persist for at least 2 weeks in the absence of a major mood episode ✓
- B Mood symptoms must be present for at least half the total illness duration
- C The mood episode must always precede the onset of psychotic symptoms
- D Psychotic symptoms must be confined exclusively to periods of mood disturbance
Correct answer: A. Hallucinations or delusions must persist for at least 2 weeks in the absence of a major mood episode
Explanation
DSM-5 requires two elements: an uninterrupted period of illness with concurrent major mood episode and Criterion B schizophrenia symptoms, plus at least 2 weeks of delusions or hallucinations without a major mood episode. Option D describes mood-congruent psychotic disorder, the opposite pattern. Option B was an old proposed rule but is not the operative DSM-5 criterion. This 2-week psychotic-without-mood window is what separates schizoaffective from psychotic depression or bipolar disorder.
Reference: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.
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