Psychosis & Schizophrenia Screening
A confidential self-screening informed by the validated Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief (PQ-B), which clinicians use to ask about unusual perceptual experiences, suspicious thoughts, and how distressing they feel. Many people have occasional unusual experiences, and this is not a schizophrenia diagnosis. If your result is elevated, early support is very effective, and this tool will point you toward a professional assessment.
Unusual experiences, and how much they bother you
This screening looks at brief, unusual experiences that some people have, and crucially at how distressing they feel. In the research, distress matters as much as the experience itself, which is why a professional assessment is the right next step if anything here resonates.
Perceptual experiences
Brief changes in how you see, hear, or sense the world: things looking or sounding different, sensing a presence, or experiences others did not seem to share.
Unusual thoughts & suspicion
Feeling watched, mistrustful, or that things carry special meaning, along with thoughts that feel hard to control or not quite your own.
Distress & impact
How upsetting or disruptive these experiences are. This matters most, because distress is the signal that talking to a professional could really help.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Informed by the validated PQ-B | Rarely | Yes, 16 items |
| Measures distress, not just experiences | No | Yes |
| Clear early-help framing | No | Throughout |
| Avoids labeling or diagnosing | Often labels | Never diagnoses |
| Clinician-reviewed interpretation | Rarely | Yes, MD reviewed |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
Methodology & sources
The items in this screening are informed by the Prodromal Questionnaire-Brief (PQ-B), a 21-item self-report measure developed by Loewy and colleagues to help identify people who may be at clinical high risk for psychosis. The PQ-B asks about unusual perceptual experiences, suspiciousness, and unusual thoughts, and importantly asks how distressing each experience is. Our questions are reworded for readability while keeping the meaning, and the experiences are presented gently and without alarm.
This is an educational screener and not the full validated instrument, and it cannot diagnose anything. Brief, unusual experiences are surprisingly common in the general population and most people who have them never develop a psychotic disorder. What this tool can do is help you notice whether unusual experiences are present and distressing, and encourage you to seek a professional assessment if they are. Early support for psychosis is one of the most effective interventions in mental health, which is why prompt professional help matters.
- Loewy RL, Pearson R, Vinogradov S, Bearden CE, Cannon TD. Psychosis risk screening with the Prodromal Questionnaire – Brief Version (PQ-B). Schizophr Res. 2011;129(1):42–46.
- Loewy RL, Bearden CE, Johnson JK, Raine A, Cannon TD. The Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ): preliminary validation of a self-report screening measure for prodromal and psychotic syndromes. Schizophr Res. 2005;77(2-3):141–149.
- McGorry PD, Hartmann JA, Spooner R, Nelson B. Beyond the at-risk mental state concept: transitioning to transdiagnostic psychiatry. World Psychiatry. 2018;17(2):133–142.
- Fusar-Poli P, Salazar de Pablo G, Correll CU, et al. Prevention of psychosis: advances in detection, prognosis, and intervention. JAMA Psychiatry. 2020;77(7):755–765.
Psychosis & Schizophrenia Screening FAQ
What does this screening check for?
It asks about brief, unusual experiences, such as changes in perception, suspicious thoughts, or thoughts that feel hard to control, and how distressing they are. These are sometimes early signs that a professional assessment could be helpful. The screening does not check for any specific diagnosis.
Does a high score mean I have schizophrenia?
No. This is not a diagnosis of schizophrenia or any psychotic disorder, and a high score does not mean you have or will develop one. Unusual experiences are common, and most people who have them never develop a psychotic illness. An elevated result simply means it is worth talking with a professional, who can actually assess what is going on.
Why does professional help matter so much here?
When unusual experiences are present and distressing, early professional support is one of the most effective interventions in mental health. It can reduce distress, address what is driving the experiences, and in some cases lower the chance that difficulties progress. The earlier the conversation, the better the options.
Is this test a diagnosis?
No. It is an educational screening for self-reflection only, informed by a validated tool but not the full instrument. Only a licensed clinician can assess psychosis risk or any related condition. If your result is elevated, please arrange an assessment with a mental-health professional soon.
Is the test really confidential?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to a server, never stored, and never linked to you. No account is needed, and the optional PDF is generated on your own device.