What is the most likely diagnosis for a young man experiencing acute auditory hallucinations and apathy that resolve within six weeks?

The most likely diagnosis in this scenario is indeed Schizophreniform disorder. This disorder is characterized by the presence of symptoms that resemble schizophrenia, such as auditory hallucinations, disorganized speech, or negative symptoms like apathy. However, a key feature is that these symptoms must last for at least one day but less than six months.

In this case, the young man's acute auditory hallucinations and apathy resolve within six weeks, fitting precisely within the time frame required for a diagnosis of Schizophreniform disorder, which allows for symptoms to be present from one month to six months.

Understanding the duration of symptoms is crucial for distinguishing Schizophreniform disorder from schizophrenia, which requires symptoms to persist for six months or longer. This distinction is what makes Schizophreniform disorder the most appropriate diagnosis here.

Other disorders such as schizoaffective disorder involve mood symptoms alongside psychotic features, but the scenario does not mention any mood disturbances. Schizoid personality disorder primarily involves a pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression, which does not align with the acute symptoms experienced in this case. Lastly, a diagnosis of schizophrenia in full remission would require a history of at least one episode lasting