Current RMA Instruments
| 27 of 2026 | |
| 28 of 2026 |
Changes from previous Instruments
ICD Coding
- ICD-10-AM Codes: F20.0-F20.3, F20.5, F20.9
Brief description
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder characterised by chronic or recurrent episodes of psychosis. Psychosis involves a loss of contact with reality, which may include hallucinations (perceiving things that are not present), delusions (fixed false beliefs), and disorganised thinking or behaviour. The condition may also be associated with reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, and impaired functioning in daily life. Schizophrenia typically follows a prolonged course, with symptoms persisting or recurring over time.
Confirming the diagnosis
Diagnosis requires assessment by a specialist psychiatrist. The diagnosis is made clinically, based on the presence of characteristic symptoms and their duration, and requires that symptoms have been present for a significant period and meeting the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria.
Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
- Catatonic schizophrenia
- Hebephrenic (disorganised) schizophrenia
- Paranoid schizophrenia
- Residual schizophrenia
Conditions not covered by SOP
- Acute schizophrenic (like) episode #
- Latent schizophrenia #
- Mood disorders with psychotic features #
- Psychosis due to the direct physiological effects of a substance #
- Schizoaffective disorder #
- Schizoid personality disorder #
- Simple schizophrenia #
* another SOP applies - the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset
Clinical onset refers to the earliest time at which symptoms consistent with a schizophrenia were first present. Although the diagnosis requires that symptoms persist for at least 6 months, clinical onset may be backdated to when the first relevant symptoms- such as hallucinations, delusions, or disorganised thinking- were observed.
Clinical worsening
The course of schizophrenia is variable. Some individuals may experience periods of remission and recovery to a relatively high level of functioning, while others may have persistent symptoms with significant impairment.
Clinical worsening may be indicated by increased severity or frequency of psychotic symptoms, reduced functioning capacity or relapse following a period of stability. Psychiatric assessment is often required to determine whether any deterioration represents worsening beyond the expected course of the condition.