Which disorder is characterized by symptoms that last 1-6 months and typically return to pre-symptomatic baseline?

Schizophreniform Disorder is characterized by psychotic symptoms that persist for a duration of 1 to 6 months. It shares features with schizophrenia but is distinct in that the symptoms are of shorter duration and the individual often returns to their baseline level of functioning once the episode resolves. This temporal criterion is key in diagnosing schizophreniform disorder, differentiating it from schizophrenia, which requires a longer duration of symptoms (at least 6 months). The return to pre-symptomatic functioning after the episode highlights the episodic nature of the disorder.

In contrast, schizoaffective disorder involves concurrent mood disorder symptoms and psychotic symptoms, complicating the diagnostic picture. Delusional disorder is defined by the presence of one or more delusions persisting for at least one month but does not encapsulate the broader range of psychotic symptoms seen in schizophreniform disorder. Major depressive disorder primarily involves mood disturbances without the prominent psychotic features required for diagnosing schizophreniform disorder, and its episodes typically have different temporal patterns and symptomatology.

These distinctions underscore why the diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder is correct for the question regarding the duration of symptoms and the return to baseline functioning.