Are psychotic symptoms a good basis for diagnosing this condition? This article says no and offers a alternative way using neurocognitive defects.

A well written, interesting article that talks about a different way to diagnose schizophrenia than just by symptoms. Nice read.

I think it is important to combine the lack of cognitive function with a diagnosis of schizophrenia because the two often go together. Low-functioning bipolar disorder, too. James wanted to help me on this, but when he read, "reduction or impairment in basic psychological functions such as memory, attention, and problem solving," he ran away ranting about how anyone could concentrate on this. So there proves the theory of this article. :-)

This article makes some really interesting points though I wonder if screening only for neurocognitive defects would result in underdiagnosis or diagnosis that occurs too late (I can't imagine routine screening given the current health care system). The author brings up an important issue - if a patient with schizophrenia expresses the frustrations, anxieties, and reactions to horrible situations that would be expected from a person who isn't ill, his/her feelings are often dismissed as just another aspect of schizophrenia.