Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2024, June 5). Schizoaffective disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizoaffective-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354509 

University of Illinois at Chicago

An uninterrupted illness featuring at some time a major depressive episode, manic episode, or mixed episode concurrently with characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia (e.g., delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, catatonic behavior) and, in the same period, delusions or hallucinations for at least 2 weeks in the absence of prominent mood symptoms. DSM–5 identifies the mood episodes only as either major depressive or manic and emphasizes that mood disturbances must be present for a majority of the time.

Schizoaffective Disorder

The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder are dependent on the type. This can  either be bipolar type or depressive type. Symptoms may include:

* Delusions
* Hallucinations
* Impaired communication or speech
* Bizarre or unusual behavior
* Depressive symptoms
* Periods of manic mood
* Impaired social, academic, or occupational functioning
* Difficulty managing personal care, such as personal hygiene 




Symptoms of Schizoaffective disorder

The most common treatment method for those with schizoaffective disorder is the use of an antipsychotic.  Less than half of patients are prescribed a combination approach of an antipsychotic and mood agent, and even fewer are prescribed an antipsychotic and antidepressant.  

Treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder


 Schizoaffective disorder within the DSM-5 is a lifetime diagnosis. Rather than only defining a single episode with concurrent psychotic and mood syndromes, the DSM-5 considers the time of onset of psychosis up to the current episode for diagnosis. In order to meet sufficient diagnostic criteria for a mood episode, mood symptoms must be present for at least half of the total duration of illness from onset of the first psychosis. This includes both prodromal and residual phases of psychosis to meet the criteria for Schizoaffective Disorder


Diagnostic Criteria for Schizoaffective Disorder

References for Schizoaffective Disorder

Individuals with schizoaffective disorder can have varying symptoms depending on whether they have unipolar depression or bipolar-type disorder. Those with bipolar type tend to have manic symptoms (they may seem to be hyperactive or restless), and these symptoms occur along with hallucinations and psychotic symptoms. Mood stabilizers can be used to help bipolar symptoms. Those with schizoaffective unipolar type may have a depressed mood, loss of pleasure, sleeping problems, fatigue, eating issues, thoughts of death, etc (as well as psychotic symptoms and hallucinations). Some bipolar symptoms are similar to depressive symptoms, but individuals with bipolar disorder have manic episodes.

Schizoaffective unipolar type and bipolar type disorders

- cognitive behavioral therapy: helps people with schizophrenia learn to cope with their cognitive changes, frustrations and anxiety
- social skills training: cope with the impacts of their disorder

Psychosocial Treatment for Schizophrenia

These spectrum disorders tend to be chronic illnesses that cause severe communal and personal side effects. SSDs (schizophrenia spectrum disorders) display symptoms similar to psychotic symptomatology, such as hallucinations, speech changes, and delusions. Out of all these disorders, schizoaffective disorder and  schizophrenia tend to occur the most often (whether it is in adolescence or early adulthood). Both of these disorders display a significant overlap in clinical symptoms, leading some research to question whether they are distinct or not. 

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Schizoaffective disorder (diagnosis and treatment)

Dementia praecox to schizophrenia: The first 100 years - Adityanjee - 1999 - psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences - Wiley Online Library. (n.d.). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1440-1819.1999.00584.x 

Praecox to Schizophrenia

As researchers investigate the Schizophrenia Spectrum of disorders, an increased body of research has suggested that individuals diagnosed with SAD or SZ commonly perceive their experiences of internalized stigma to be associated with recovery-related challenges. Consequently, studies and biographical essays enlighten readers to internalized mental health stigmas and encourage readers to support those with SAD.


 Internalized SAD Stigmas

In light of the findings from several peer reviewed journals, several researchers have investigated and made conclusions regarding the epidemiological factors of schizoaffective disorder 

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