The DSM-III diagnosis of schizophrenic-like illness and the clinical pharmacology of psychosis

Abstract

The classification of schizophrenia-related psychoses under DSM-III into five classes--schizophrenia itself, schizophreniform psychoses, schizoaffective disorders, brief reactive psychoses, and atypical psychoses--classifies groups of psychotic individuals with few distinct pharmacological characteristics. Although ideally established disease entities imply a specific pharmacological regimen, only broad guidelines can be provided in matching an efficacious drug regimen with a diagnostic category. For this reason individualization of pharmacotherapy by each practicing physician is encouraged.