Schizoaffective disorder
Key points
- Schizoaffective disorder includes elements of both psychosis and mood disorder.
- People with this condition often seek treatment for problems with mood, daily function or intrusive thoughts.
- The clinical signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder include all the signs and symptoms of psychotic and mood disorders, appearing together or in alternating fashion.
- The combination of psychotic and mood symptoms in schizoaffective disorder can be seen in other illnesses, such as Bipolar disorder.
Definition
Schizoaffective disorder includes elements of both psychosis and mood disorder. Psychotic symptoms mean a loss of contact with reality, and may include hallucinations (hearing voices or seeing things that are not present), and delusions (false, fixed beliefs). Symptoms of mood disorder include very low or very high mood with sleep disturbances, changes in energy and appetite, disrupted concentration, and generally poor daily function. Schizoaffective illness features a close interconnection between these 2 sets of symptoms.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
People with this condition often seek treatment for problems with mood, daily function or intrusive thoughts.
To be diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a person must experience psychotic symptoms - but normal mood - for at least 2 weeks.
The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but factors that affect the development of both psychosis and mood disorders may play a role. These factors may include a strong genetic component and other biochemical factors.
It is not known how commonly schizoaffective disorder occurs, but it is believed to be less common than schizophrenia or mood disorders. Women may be affected more often than men. While mood disorders are relatively common in children, a full syndrome of schizophrenia is not. Therefore schizoaffective disorder tends to be rare in children.
Symptoms
The clinical signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder include all the signs and symptoms of psychotic and mood disorders, appearing together or in alternating fashion. The course feature cycles of worsening and improvement, or long-term deterioration. The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder vary greatly from person to person.
- Symptoms of clinical Depression and mania include:
o Elevated, inflated, or depressed mood
o Irritability and poor temper control
o Symptoms that could be seen during a manic or depressed state (changes in appetite, energy, sleep) - Psychotic symptoms that persist for at least 2 weeks without significant mood symptoms:
o Hallucinations (particularly auditory hallucinations, "hearing voices")
o Delusions of reference (for example, believing that someone on TV or the radio is speaking directly to you or that secret messages are hidden in common objects)
o Paranoia (a feeling that everyone or a particular person or agency is out to get you)
o Deteriorating concern with hygiene, grooming
o Disorganized and illogical speech
Signs and tests
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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