What is a key criterion for the diagnosis of Schizophrenia?

The diagnosis of Schizophrenia involves a set of criteria that focus on the presence and duration of specific symptoms. A key component of the diagnostic criteria is the requirement for the individual to exhibit at least two of the major symptoms for a significant duration of one month. These symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and negative symptoms, among others.

This criterion is crucial because it helps clinicians distinguish Schizophrenia from other mental health disorders that may have similar presentations. The requirement emphasizes the importance of having multiple symptoms, which creates a clearer picture of the disorder's impact on the individual's functioning and the chronic nature of Schizophrenia.

In this context, the other options do not fully align with the established diagnostic criteria. For example, having at least one symptom for a month may not be sufficient to confirm a diagnosis, as it does not capture the broader spectrum of symptoms indicative of Schizophrenia. Similarly, the criteria specifying symptoms for three months are more aligned with other diagnostic timelines but do not reflect the immediate criteria for diagnosis which focuses on the presence of multiple symptoms over one month.