Schizophrenia is the descriptive term for a group of

The correct answer is Option (1) → Psychotic disorders

Option (1) Psychotic disorders — Correct. Schizophrenia is the descriptive term for a group of psychotic disorders in which personal, social and occupational functioning deteriorate as a result of disturbed thought processes, strange perceptions, unusual emotional states and motor abnormalities. It is classified under ‘Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders’.

Option (2) Neurotic disorders — Incorrect. ‘Neurotic disorders’ (neuroses) is an older name for disorders in which a person suffers distress such as anxiety but stays in touch with reality, as in phobias. In schizophrenia contact with reality is lost, with delusions and hallucinations.

Option (3) Anxiety disorders — Incorrect. Anxiety disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias, are marked by diffuse, unpleasant feelings of fear and apprehension. Schizophrenia is a separate category.

Option (4) Personality disorders — Incorrect. Personality disorders are long-lasting, rigid patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that differ markedly from what the person’s culture expects and cause distress or problems in relationships and work. They are patterns of personality, not psychotic breaks from reality.