The DSM is a more authoritative classification and diagnostic standard for mental disorders. The CCMD-3 diagnostic criteria currently used in China were originally developed with reference to the DSM-IV. Therefore, it can be seen from here: How should schizophrenia be diagnosed in a more standardized way? Yan Wenwei, Department of Psychiatry, Taicang Third People’s Hospital DSM5 regarding diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia: A. Characteristic symptoms: with 2 (or more) of the following symptoms, both of which should be present for more than one month (the illness period can be shorter if effective treatment has been given). One of these, must be one of symptoms 1 through 3 1. delusions 2. hallucinations 3. disorganized speech (i.e., ‘scattered thinking’) 4. very abnormal behavior, e.g., catatonia wood stiffness 5. negative symptoms, e.g., emotional indifference, reduced volition, etc. B. poor social or occupational functioning: for most of the time since the onset of the illness, most function (including work, interpersonal relationships, self-care, etc.), are significantly lower than pre-morbid levels (e.g., onset in childhood or adolescence, significantly lower than expected). c. Duration of illness: This manifestation of the disorder lasts for at least 6 months. D. Exclusion of schizoaffective and mood disorders: If (1) there is no concurrent depressive or manic episode in the acute phase, or (2) there is a mood disorder episode in the acute phase, but it is shorter in duration than in the acute and residual phases. E. Exclusion of psychotropic substances or general physical conditions: To determine that the manifestation of the disorder is not due to the direct physiological effects of a psychotropic substance or a physical condition. If there is a history of autism or other pervasive developmental disorder or other childhood onset communication disorder, a separate diagnosis of schizophrenia may be added unless there are significant delusions or hallucinations for at least 1 month (the duration of illness may be shorter if effective treatment has been provided). Staging of schizophrenia The Working Group believes that DSM5 will not be staged. It can be seen that DSM5 places great emphasis on the fact that ‘the characteristic symptom must be 2 (or more) symptoms, and one of them must be one of symptoms 1 to 3’. In other words, there must be hallucinations, delusions, or scattered thoughts (also known as positive symptoms) in order to diagnose schizophrenia. If there are only negative symptoms, but no positive symptoms, schizophrenia cannot be diagnosed. Therefore, I have repeatedly emphasized that one should not take antipsychotic drugs casually until a diagnosis is established; otherwise, it is difficult for a doctor to make a positive schizophrenia diagnosis without catching delusions or hallucinations. In fact, every case of schizophrenia that has just developed has positive symptoms, only that the person does not reveal them or refuses to admit them; and some psychiatrists actually say “no positive symptoms” because they are not competent and cannot detect hallucinations and delusions.