Differential Diagnosis of Trauma Spectrum Disorders and Clinical High Risk for Psychosis

Abstract

Early identification of symptoms and accurate diagnoses are necessary for referrals to intervention programs, diagnostic conceptualization, treatment planning, recovery, pharmacotherapy decision-making, improvement in prognosis, functional capacity, and possible prevention of the emergence of full diagnostic disorders. Different symptom profiles have been shown to have more efficacious treatment approaches than others; however, differential diagnoses can be complicated when psychosis-like symptoms first start to emerge. Thus, learning how to differentiate between clinical high risk for psychosis, borderline personality disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder to determine if a singular diagnosis or multiple comorbid diagnoses are necessary to improve patient care and treatment outcomes. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2023;53(5):204–208.]