Schizoaffective Disorder

What is Schizoaffective Disorder?

Individuals suffering from schizoaffective disorder have some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder. The way people with schizoaffective disorder react and see the world is distorted (schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms), and they have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness (major depression). If the individual is suffering from bipolar symptoms as well, there will be extreme swings between high and low moods.

Because schizoaffective disorder produces symptoms from a variety of mental disorders, it can be difficult to treat. Medication, psychotherapy, and skills training can help successfully minimize its symptoms.

According to the authors of the Synopsis of Psychiatry, patients with this disorder fit into six categories, all of which have different combinations of schizophrenia, mood disorder, and a third mental health disorder (tenth edition, p. 501). There is some data that reflects that schizoaffective disorder is a separate disorder entirely unrelated to schizophrenia and mood disorders. The diagnosis as it is determined to date is dependent upon the balance of the symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, and the duration of the symptoms.

The origins of this disorder are not clear and the link to genetics and family history are inconclusive.

Substance use can bring on symptoms of schizoaffective disorder, and certain medical conditions coupled with medication can induce schizoaffective symptoms. Examples include individuals who:

Abuse cocaine, amphetamines, or phencyclidine (PCP)
Have seizure disorders
Take steroid medications

(MedlinePlus, National Institute of Health)

What are the Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder?

Changes in appetite and energy
Disorganized speech that is not logical
False beliefs (delusions), such as thinking someone is trying to harm you (paranoia) or thinking that special messages are hidden in common places (delusions of reference)
Lack of concern with hygiene or grooming
Mood that is either too good, depressed, or irritable
Problems sleeping
Problems with concentration
Sadness or hopelessness
Seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations)
Social isolation
Speaking so quickly that others cannot interrupt you

(MedlinePlus, National Institute of Health)

People suffering from major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia will all demonstrate symptoms of the related disorders.

Signs Defining Schizoaffective Disorder

The illness usually begins in early adulthood
It is more common in women
A person has difficulty in following a moving object with their eyes
A person’s rapid eye movement (dreaming) begins unusually early in the night (National Mental Health America)