Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective Disorder is an illness in which the patient has symptoms of both Schizophrenia and a major mood disorder at the same time. Patients with Schizoaffective Disorder experience a combination of symptoms associated with both diseases.

There are currently two types of Schizoaffective disorder:

• Bipolar type
• Depressive type

The Bipolar type is where the patient has symptoms of a Manic or Mixed and/or a Depressive episode with his/her psychotic symptoms.

The Depressive type is where the patient has only the symptoms of a Major Depressive Disorder with his/her psychotic symptoms.

Some symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder include:

•      Auditory/visual hallucinations
•      Suspiciousness
•      Unusual thought content
•      Disorganization
•      Emotional withdrawal
•      Blunted affect
•      Inability to express pleasure
•      Attention difficulties

For more information on other psychotic disorders including:

•     Substance Induced Psychosis
•     Psychotic Disorder due to another Medical condition
•     Catatonia
•     Schizotypal Disorder
•     Delusional Disorders
•     Brief Psychotic Disorder
•     Schizophreniform Disorder

Please refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5).