Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health disorder that is marked by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression or mania (abnormally happy or irritable mood). There are two types of schizoaffective disorder, both of which include some symptoms of schizophrenia. The first is the bipolar type, which includes episodes of mania and sometimes major depression. The second is the depressive type, which includes only major depressive episodes

Although the development and course of schizoaffective disorder may vary, defining features include a major mood episode (depressed or manic mood) and at least a two-week period of psychotic symptoms when a major mood episode is not present.

Signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder depend on the type — bipolar or depressive type — and may include, among others:

  • Delusions — having false, fixed beliefs, despite evidence to the contrary
  • Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there
  • Impaired communication and speech, such as being incoherent
  • Bizarre or unusual behavior
  • Symptoms of depression, such as feeling empty, sad or worthless
  • Periods of manic mood, with an increase in energy and a decreased need for sleep over several days, and behaviors that are out of character
  • Impaired occupational, academic and social functioning
  • Problems with managing personal care, including cleanliness and physical appearance

Symptoms

Prevalence

Because schizoaffective disorder combines symptoms that reflect two mental illnesses, it’s easily confused with other psychotic or mood disorders. Some doctors may diagnose schizophrenia. Others may think it’s a mood disorder. As a result, it’s hard to know how many people actually have schizoaffective disorder. Only a small number of people have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder; studies indicate that it affects around 0.3% of the population. It’s equally likely to affect men and women and usually begins in the late teen years or early adulthood, often between ages 16 and 30, but men usually get it at a younger age, as is the case for most psychotic disorders.

Prognosis

There’s no cure for schizoaffective disorder. But treatment can help. The right combination of medication and therapy can help the person cope with the disorder, improve social functioning and lessen symptoms. The risk of relapse is present in most cases, but the outlook seems to be better than for those diagnosed with schizophrenia. As always, early intervention is favorable and commitment to treatment significantly improves the person’s quality of life and functioning.

When to seek help

Treatment

  1. Medication: What people take depends on whether they have symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder, along with symptoms that suggest schizophrenia. The main medications that doctors prescribe for psychotic symptoms are called antipsychotics. For mood-related symptoms, one might take an antidepressant medication or a mood stabilizer.
  1. Psychotherapy: The goal of this type of counseling is to help people learn about their illness, set goals, and manage everyday problems related to the disorder. Family therapy can help families get better at relating to and helping a loved one who has schizoaffective disorder.
  1. Skills training: This generally focuses on work and social skills, grooming and self-care, and other day-to-day activities, including money and home management.
  1. Hospitalization: Psychotic episodes may require a hospital stay, especially if the person is suicidal or threaten to hurt others.
  1. Electroconvulsive therapy: This treatment may be an option for adults who don’t respond to psychotherapy or medications. It involves sending a quick electric current through the brain, under general anesthetic, which causes a brief seizure. Doctors use it because they think it changes your brain chemistry and may reverse some conditions.