This editorial reflects the work of all of the members of the WHO Working Group on the Classification of Psychotic Disorders, which include Jonathan Burns (South Africa), Peter Falkai (Germany), Saeed Farooq (Pakistan), Wolfgang Gaebel, Chair (Germany), Silvana Galderisi (Italy), Philippa Garety (UK), Michael Green (USA), Assen Jablensky (Australia), Veronica Larach Walters (Chile), Toshimasa Maruta (Japan), and Pichet Udomratn (Thailand), assisted by WHO Secretariat members Geoffrey Reed and Shekhar Saxena and consultant Michael B. First. Jürgen Zielasek (Germany) is rapporteur for the Working Group. The views expressed in this editorial reflect the opinions of its authors and, except as specifically noted, do not represent the official policies and positions of the Working Group, the Advisory Group for the Revision of ICD-10 Mental and Behavioural Disorders, or of WHO.