Schizophrenia and other primary psychotic disorders in ICD-11

Abstract

In the development of the International Classsification of Disorders (ICD-11), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has used a systematic approach with a focus on the utility of the revised classification criteria. For all major groups of mental and behavioural disorders working groups were set up, and these reviewed the scientific evidence and developed suggestions for revised classification criteria. These initial proposals, then submitted to public consultation and review, resulted in updated proposals. The chapter title for the primary psychotic disorders will be "Schizophrenia and other primary psychotic disorders". The clinical subtypes of schizophrenia will be substituted by symptom specifiers, which are applicable to all primary psychotic disorders. The role of Schneider's first-rank symptoms will be deemphasized. Course specifiers will be introduced and will be compatible with the U.S.-American classification system for mental disorders (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th revision, DSM-5). The group of Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorders will be more clearly differentiated from schizophrenia. Currently, field trials are under way both in clinical and internet-based settings to test the utility of the revised classification criteria. In early 2018, the final classification criteria of ICD-11 should be available.