Which term describes the phase where symptoms are negative or attenuated criterion A symptoms between active episodes in schizophrenia?

• A. Active psychosis
• B. Interictal period
• C. Prodromal/Residual Periods
• D. Post-psychotic remission

Answer: (C)

In schizophrenia, symptoms vary across phases: active episodes with prominent disturbances, and periods in between with fewer or milder symptoms. The phase described involves negative symptoms (like flat affect, reduced motivation, social withdrawal) or attenuated positive symptoms that don’t meet full criteria for an active psychotic episode. That inter-episode state is captured by the term prodromal/ residual periods, which covers both the early signs before frank psychosis and the lingering, subthreshold symptoms that remain between episodes. This is why it’s the best description for symptoms that are present but not fully meeting active-psychosis criteria.

Active psychosis refers to the period with clear, full-blown positive symptoms. Interictal period isn’t a standard term used for schizophrenia. Post-psychotic remission would imply a return to full remission, with minimal or no symptoms, not the lingering residual state described.