The traits of symptoms of schizophreniform disorder are the same as those of schizophrenia (Criterion A).

The difference between schizophreniform disorders, brief psychotic disorder, and schizophrenia is the duration: the total duration of the schizophreniform disorder, including prodromal, active, and residual phases, is at least 1 month but less than 6 months (Criterion B). By contrast, the brief psychotic disorder lasts more than 1 day and remits by 1 month, and schizophrenia lasts for at least 6 months.

The diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder is based on two conditions: 1) the individual has recovered when the symptom lasts between 1 and 6 months, and 2) the symptom is less than 6 months but the individual has not recovered yet.

Another significant feature of schizophreniform disorder is the lack of a criterion for impaired social and occupational functioning. However, these criteria are not the necessary factors for a diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder.