It’s not accurate to say that trauma causes psychotic conditions, but it is a definite risk factor. With such similar and overlapping symptoms, it is essential that clients get accurate diagnoses and relevant treatment for all existing conditions.

The Importance of a Differential Diagnosis

It can be very challenging to diagnose mental illnesses with overlapping symptoms. Clinical therapists should be the ones to diagnose clients who have symptoms similar to multiple diagnoses and determine the most accurate diagnosis necessary for planning the most effective and useful treatment.

For instance, if someone with PTSD also has schizoaffective disorder, but the latter is not diagnosed, it will remain untreated. Episodes of schizoaffective disorder can recur later, causing the individual to also relapse into the symptoms of PTSD. In order to manage trauma and existing mental illnesses, each one must be recognized and treated.

1. Choose one Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders diagnosis and discuss how trauma can be a risk factor. Give specifics. 

2. Refer to the Differential Diagnosis section in the DSM-5-TR of your diagnosis. Discuss how your diagnosis can be distinguished from another similar Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders diagnosis. 

3. Could a client carry both a Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders diagnosis and a Dissociative  Disorder diagnosis? Why or why not?