ABSTRACT
This chapter presents two personal experiences of schizophrenia. Examining how the disorder is currently defined, it looks at criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and describes features of psychosis (like delusions and hallucinations) and other requirements. How early-stage schizophrenia can evade recognition is discussed. Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and other psychotic disorders are examined, including schizophrenia itself. The chapter explains how, in some mental disorders, psychosis is ‘integral’ while in others it is ‘associated.’ Challenges in delineating schizophrenia, psychosis, and bipolar disorder are discussed. The International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) and its relationship to DSM-5 is briefly considered. Distinctions between ‘orthodox’ and ‘dissenting’ views of schizophrenia are explained. After listing the book's contents, the chapter identifies its aims and distinctive features, and specifies intended readers. Finally, the structure of the chapters is explained, and their contents are set out.
