Differential Diagnosis of Schizophrenia & Co-morbid Psychiatric Conditions in Schizophrenia and their Management

ABSTRACT

Schizophrenia is a complex, heterogeneous, and disabling psychiatric disorder that impairs cognitive, perceptual, emotional, and behavioural functioning. It has a worldwide prevalence rate of about 1%. There are a number of physical and mental illnesses which are co-morbid with schizophrenia and this article will include a brief description and management of some of the commoner ones. Similarly, it can be mimicked by several mental and physical illnesses and accurate diagnosis is important to reduce the disability associated with the illness. Morbidity and mortality is elevated in patients in Schizophrenia as compared to the general population. More than 50% of patients with schizophrenia have co-morbid psychiatric or medical conditions including impairment of cognitive function, depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, substance abuse, and aggressive behaviour, and these reflect on prognosis of both acute as well chronic schizophrenia.