Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy the DSM-5 Eliminated Schizophrenia TypesDSM-5 Criteria for SchizophreniaParanoid SchizophreniaDisorganized (Hebephrenic) SchizophreniaResidual SchizophreniaCatatonic SchizophreniaUndifferentiated SchizophreniaSchizophrenia Spectrum DisordersNext in Schizophrenia GuideEarly Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why the DSM-5 Eliminated Schizophrenia Types
DSM-5 Criteria for Schizophrenia
Paranoid Schizophrenia
Disorganized (Hebephrenic) Schizophrenia
Residual Schizophrenia
Catatonic Schizophrenia
Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Next in Schizophrenia Guide
Schizophreniais no longer diagnosed with subtypes. It’s considered a chronic mental health condition that exists on a spectrum. Schizophrenia interferes with a person’s perception of reality. People with schizophrenia face emotional difficulties and trouble thinking rationally and clearly. They also have challenges in their relationships with others.
This article will discuss the former schizophrenia subtypes, including why they are no longer used for diagnosis, though can be helpful for providers who treat people living with schizophrenia.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Until the most recent version of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5) was published in 2013, schizophrenia was officially recognized as having five distinct subtypes:
However, mental health experts said that the symptoms of each subtype were not reliable or consistently valid and got in the way of making adiagnosis. Therefore, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) removed schizophrenia subtypes from the DSM-5.
Although they are no longer used for diagnosis, some mental health providers find schizophrenia subtypes can be helpful when they’re deciding on the best treatment for someone with the condition.
What Causes Schizophrenia?
The symptoms of the schizophrenia subtypes overlap with those of other mental health conditions. To be diagnosed with schizophrenia, a person must meet the criteria outlined in theDSM-5.
A person must havetwo or more of the following symptomsfor at least one month (or less if they have been treated), and at least one symptom must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech:
Continuous signs of the disturbance must be present for at least six months. Within that time, at least one month must include the above symptoms (or less if the person has been successfully treated).
A person may also have periods of prodromal or residual symptoms.
During prodromal or residual periods, a person may only have negative symptoms or could have two or more symptoms listed above in an attenuated form—that is, odd beliefs or unusual perceptual experiences.
A person must also show a decreased level of functioning in daily life, such as doing self-care, managing their relationships, or working. During this phase, people may start to withdraw socially, lose interest in their usual activities, or struggle with personal hygiene.
Schizoaffective disorder and depressive or bipolar disorder with psychotic features have to be ruled out before a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be made.
How Schizophrenia Is Diagnosed
This schizophrenia subtype is the one that often comes to mind when people think of schizophrenia. It is also the type that is most often depicted in the media and popular culture.
Fixed, false beliefs that conflict with reality (delusions) are a hallmark of paranoid schizophrenia. Hallucinations, particularly hearing voices (auditory hallucinations), are also common.
Symptoms
Paranoid schizophrenia primarily involves the onset of traits, feelings, or behaviors that were not there before—referred to as positive symptoms.
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include the following:
In paranoid schizophrenia, the following symptoms are not typically present (or if they are, they are not prominent):
Symptoms Can Come and GoThe symptoms of schizophrenia may not be experienced all at once. A person living with the illness may experience different symptoms at different times.
Symptoms Can Come and Go
The symptoms of schizophrenia may not be experienced all at once. A person living with the illness may experience different symptoms at different times.
People with this schizophrenia subtype may have the following symptoms:
Here are some common challenges that people with hebephrenic schizophrenia may face:
Disorganized Schizophrenia: Signs and Coping
Residual schizophrenia is not the same as theresidual phaseof schizophrenia. The residual phase of schizophrenia is a period when a person’s symptoms are not as intense. However, they may still have negative symptoms—for example, a previous trait or behavior stops, or there’s a lack of a trait or behavior that would normally be present.
A person with residual schizophrenia does not currently have prominent delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, or highly disorganized or catatonic behavior. Instead, they have negative symptoms and/or two or more diagnostic symptoms of schizophrenia in a milder form (such as odd beliefs or unusual perceptual experiences).
Symptoms of residual schizophrenia can include:
Other ConditionsPeople with schizophrenia can also have other mental health disorders at the same time (co-occurring or co-morbid conditions), including depression and substance use disorders.
Other Conditions
People with schizophrenia can also have other mental health disorders at the same time (co-occurring or co-morbid conditions), including depression and substance use disorders.
Prodromal Schizophrenia: Identifying This Early Stage
A person withcatatonic schizophreniameets the criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia and also has symptoms ofcatatonia. Catatonia involves excessive movement (excited catatonia) or decreased movement (retarded catatonia) that affects both speech and behavior.
Catatonic schizophrenia symptoms may include the following:
Phases of Schizophrenia and How to Help
A person with undifferentiated schizophrenia has symptoms that fit a diagnosis of schizophrenia but do not completely fit with the paranoid type, catatonic type, or disorganized type.
There are no specific symptoms that indicate undifferentiated schizophrenia. Instead, a person shows many symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for a particular subtype.
The symptoms of undifferentiated schizophrenia may include:
Childhood SchizophreniaChildhood schizophreniais not a subtype of schizophrenia. This term refers to the age of onset of schizophrenia, not a separate diagnosis.
Childhood Schizophrenia
Childhood schizophreniais not a subtype of schizophrenia. This term refers to the age of onset of schizophrenia, not a separate diagnosis.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia
There are other disorders on the schizophrenia spectrum, along with schizophrenia. The conditions are listed in the DSM-5-TR as “schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.”
Schizophrenia spectrum disordersinclude:
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder has features of schizophrenia and features of a mood disorder, eithermajor depressive disorderorbipolar disorder.
Symptoms ofschizoaffective disorderfall into the following three categories:
Delusional Disorder
Delusional disorder is a form of psychosis in which a person has fixed, false beliefs. For example, a person with delusion disorder may believe a celebrity is in love with them, that someone is spying on them or “out to get them,” or that they have a great talent or importance. They may also hold other beliefs that are outside the realm of reality.
Brief Psychotic Disorder
Brief psychotic disorder is an episode of psychotic behavior with a sudden onset that lasts less than a month. After the episode, the person goes into complete remission. However, it is possible to have another psychotic episode in the future.
Understanding Psychotic Disorders
Schizophreniform Disorder
With schizophreniform disorder, a person has symptoms of schizophrenia that last less than six months.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder involves having odd beliefs, perceptions, and behaviors. A person with schizotypical personality disorder can be suspicious or paranoid of others and often has limited relationships.
Summary
Paranoid, disorganized/hebephrenic, residual, catatonic, and undifferentiated schizophrenia are no longer diagnoses in the DSM-5.
However, since the subtypes can show the different ways that schizophrenia spectrum disorders can be experienced, some providers find it useful to talk about them when they’re working with patients.
Today, schizophrenia is considered a spectrum disorder that includes schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disorder, and schizoaffective disorder.
How to Help Someone With Schizophrenia: Advice From Experts
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is schizophrenia?,Administration SA and MHS.Table 3. 22, DSM-IV to DSM-5 schizophrenia comparison.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.22, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Schizophrenia Comparison. [Internet] Rockville (MD) (US); 2016 Jun.Mental Health UK.Types of schizophrenia.NIMH.Schizophrenia.Schennach R, Riedel M, Obermeier M, et al.What are residual symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorder?Clinical description and 1-year persistence within a naturalistic trial.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2015;265(2):107-116. doi:10.1007/s00406-014-0528-2Khokhar JY, Dwiel LL, Henricks AM, Doucette WT, Green AI.The link between schizophrenia and substance use disorder: A unifying hypothesis.Schizophr Res. 2018;194:78-85. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2017.04.016Castle, DJ, Buckley, PF, & Upthegrove, R.Schizophrenia and psychiatric comorbidities: Recognition and management.(2021). Oxford University Press.Rasmussen SA, Mazurek MF, Rosebush PI.Catatonia: Our current understanding of its diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology.World J Psychiatry. 2016;6(4):391-398. Published 2016 Dec 22. doi:10.5498/wjp.v6.i4.391Kendhari J, Shankar R, Young-Walker L.A review of childhood-onset schizophrenia.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2016;14(3):328-332. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20160007APA.DSM-5-TR fact sheets.APA.Schizoaffective disorder.APA.Delusional disorder.APA.Brief psychotic disorder.APA.Schizophreniform disorder.APA.Schizotypal personality disorder.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is schizophrenia?,Administration SA and MHS.Table 3. 22, DSM-IV to DSM-5 schizophrenia comparison.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.22, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Schizophrenia Comparison. [Internet] Rockville (MD) (US); 2016 Jun.Mental Health UK.Types of schizophrenia.NIMH.Schizophrenia.Schennach R, Riedel M, Obermeier M, et al.What are residual symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorder?Clinical description and 1-year persistence within a naturalistic trial.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2015;265(2):107-116. doi:10.1007/s00406-014-0528-2Khokhar JY, Dwiel LL, Henricks AM, Doucette WT, Green AI.The link between schizophrenia and substance use disorder: A unifying hypothesis.Schizophr Res. 2018;194:78-85. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2017.04.016Castle, DJ, Buckley, PF, & Upthegrove, R.Schizophrenia and psychiatric comorbidities: Recognition and management.(2021). Oxford University Press.Rasmussen SA, Mazurek MF, Rosebush PI.Catatonia: Our current understanding of its diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology.World J Psychiatry. 2016;6(4):391-398. Published 2016 Dec 22. doi:10.5498/wjp.v6.i4.391Kendhari J, Shankar R, Young-Walker L.A review of childhood-onset schizophrenia.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2016;14(3):328-332. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20160007APA.DSM-5-TR fact sheets.APA.Schizoaffective disorder.APA.Delusional disorder.APA.Brief psychotic disorder.APA.Schizophreniform disorder.APA.Schizotypal personality disorder.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association.What is schizophrenia?,Administration SA and MHS.Table 3. 22, DSM-IV to DSM-5 schizophrenia comparison.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.22, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Schizophrenia Comparison. [Internet] Rockville (MD) (US); 2016 Jun.Mental Health UK.Types of schizophrenia.NIMH.Schizophrenia.Schennach R, Riedel M, Obermeier M, et al.What are residual symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorder?Clinical description and 1-year persistence within a naturalistic trial.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2015;265(2):107-116. doi:10.1007/s00406-014-0528-2Khokhar JY, Dwiel LL, Henricks AM, Doucette WT, Green AI.The link between schizophrenia and substance use disorder: A unifying hypothesis.Schizophr Res. 2018;194:78-85. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2017.04.016Castle, DJ, Buckley, PF, & Upthegrove, R.Schizophrenia and psychiatric comorbidities: Recognition and management.(2021). Oxford University Press.Rasmussen SA, Mazurek MF, Rosebush PI.Catatonia: Our current understanding of its diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology.World J Psychiatry. 2016;6(4):391-398. Published 2016 Dec 22. doi:10.5498/wjp.v6.i4.391Kendhari J, Shankar R, Young-Walker L.A review of childhood-onset schizophrenia.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2016;14(3):328-332. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20160007APA.DSM-5-TR fact sheets.APA.Schizoaffective disorder.APA.Delusional disorder.APA.Brief psychotic disorder.APA.Schizophreniform disorder.APA.Schizotypal personality disorder.
American Psychiatric Association.What is schizophrenia?,
Administration SA and MHS.Table 3. 22, DSM-IV to DSM-5 schizophrenia comparison.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.22, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Schizophrenia Comparison. [Internet] Rockville (MD) (US); 2016 Jun.
Mental Health UK.Types of schizophrenia.
NIMH.Schizophrenia.
Schennach R, Riedel M, Obermeier M, et al.What are residual symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorder?Clinical description and 1-year persistence within a naturalistic trial.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2015;265(2):107-116. doi:10.1007/s00406-014-0528-2
Khokhar JY, Dwiel LL, Henricks AM, Doucette WT, Green AI.The link between schizophrenia and substance use disorder: A unifying hypothesis.Schizophr Res. 2018;194:78-85. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2017.04.016
Castle, DJ, Buckley, PF, & Upthegrove, R.Schizophrenia and psychiatric comorbidities: Recognition and management.(2021). Oxford University Press.
Rasmussen SA, Mazurek MF, Rosebush PI.Catatonia: Our current understanding of its diagnosis, treatment and pathophysiology.World J Psychiatry. 2016;6(4):391-398. Published 2016 Dec 22. doi:10.5498/wjp.v6.i4.391
Kendhari J, Shankar R, Young-Walker L.A review of childhood-onset schizophrenia.Focus (Am Psychiatr Publ). 2016;14(3):328-332. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20160007
APA.DSM-5-TR fact sheets.
APA.Schizoaffective disorder.
APA.Delusional disorder.
APA.Brief psychotic disorder.
APA.Schizophreniform disorder.
APA.Schizotypal personality disorder.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
