Specialized Consultation for Suspected Recent-onset Schizophrenia: Diagnostic Clarity and the Distorting Impact of Anxiety and Reported Auditory Hallucinations

J Psychiatr Pract. 2019 Mar;25(2):76-81. doi: 10.1097/PRA.0000000000000363.

Abstract

Early detection of psychotic disorders is now recognized as vital in reducing dysfunction, morbidity, and mortality. However, making the diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, especially earlier in the course of disease, can be challenging, and an incorrect diagnosis of a psychotic disorder may also have significant consequences. We therefore, conducted a retroactive chart review of 78 patients referred to a specialty early psychosis consultation clinic to examine the role of specialty clinics in clarifying the diagnosis of early psychosis, especially potential schizophrenia. Of the 78 patients, 43 (55%) had a primary diagnosis at referral of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. The primary diagnosis in the consultation clinic was different in 22 (51%) of these 43 cases, and 18 (42%) of these patients were not diagnosed with any form of primary psychotic disorder. These patients were more likely to report anxiety and less likely to report thought disorder than patients with a consultation diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Clinicians may therefore overdiagnose schizophrenia, demonstrating the value of second opinions from clinics specializing in the diagnosis of recent-onset psychosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Hallucinations / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis*
  • Young Adult