122 Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
Other Specified Schizophrenia Spectrum and
Other Psychotic Disorder
298.8 (F28)
This category applies to presentations in which symptoms characteristic of a schizophre-
nia spectrum and other psychotic disorder that cause clinically significant distress or im-
pairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning predominate but
do not meet the full criteria for any of the disorders in the schizophrenia spectrum and other
psychotic disorders diagnostic class. The other specified schizophrenia spectrum and oth-
er psychotic disorder category is used in situations in which the clinician chooses to com-
municate the specific reason that the presentation does not meet the criteria for any
specific schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder. This is done by recording “oth-
er specified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder” followed by the specific
reason (e.g., “persistent auditory hallucinations”). 
Examples of presentations that can be specified using the “other specified” designation
include the following:
1.Persistent auditory hallucinations  occurring in the absence of any other features.
2.Delusions with significant overlapping mood episodes:  This includes persistent
delusions with periods of overlapping mood episodes that are present for a substantial
portion of the delusional disturbance (such that  the criterion stipulating only brief mood
disturbance in delusional disorder is not met).
3.Attenuated psychosis syndrome: This syndrome is characterized by psychotic-like
symptoms that are below a threshold for full psychosis (e.g., the symptoms are less
severe and more transient, and insight is relatively maintained).
4.Delusional symptoms in partner of individual with delusional disorder:  In the
context of a relationship, the delusional ma terial from the dominant partner provides
content for delusional belief by the individual who may not otherwise entirely meet cri-