<Li> Other schizophrenia include cenesthopathic schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder NOS (ICD code F20. 8). </Li> <P> Psychotic symptoms may be present in several other mental disorders, including bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, drug intoxication, and drug - induced psychosis . Delusions ("non-bizarre") are also present in delusional disorder, and social withdrawal in social anxiety disorder, avoidant personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder . Schizotypal personality disorder has symptoms that are similar but less severe than those of schizophrenia . Schizophrenia occurs along with obsessive - compulsive disorder (OCD) considerably more often than could be explained by chance, although it can be difficult to distinguish obsessions that occur in OCD from the delusions of schizophrenia . A few people withdrawing from benzodiazepines experience a severe withdrawal syndrome which may last a long time . It can resemble schizophrenia and be misdiagnosed as such . </P> <P> A more general medical and neurological examination may be needed to rule out medical illnesses which may rarely produce psychotic schizophrenia - like symptoms, such as metabolic disturbance, systemic infection, syphilis, AIDS dementia complex, epilepsy, limbic encephalitis, and brain lesions . Stroke, multiple sclerosis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy Body dementia may also be associated with schizophrenia - like psychotic symptoms . It may be necessary to rule out a delirium, which can be distinguished by visual hallucinations, acute onset and fluctuating level of consciousness, and indicates an underlying medical illness . Investigations are not generally repeated for relapse unless there is a specific medical indication or possible adverse effects from antipsychotic medication . In children hallucinations must be separated from typical childhood fantasies . </P> <P> Prevention of schizophrenia is difficult as there are no reliable markers for the later development of the disorder . There is tentative evidence for the effectiveness of early interventions to prevent schizophrenia . While there is some evidence that early intervention in those with a psychotic episode may improve short - term outcomes, there is little benefit from these measures after five years . Attempting to prevent schizophrenia in the prodrome phase is of uncertain benefit and therefore as of 2009 is not recommended . Cognitive behavioral therapy may reduce the risk of psychosis in those at high risk after a year and is recommended in this group, by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Another preventative measure is to avoid drugs that have been associated with development of the disorder, including cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamines . </P>

During an acute episode of schizophrenia the most prominent symptom(s) is /ar e