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Schizophrenia is a mental disorder where a person suffers from psychotic disorders. But when the same person starts the show significant changes in mood for a substantial period of time, they may have schizoaffective disorder. Mental illness with the hybrid symptoms of schizophrenia and severe mood disorder.
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Schizophrenia is a mental disorder where a person suffers from psychotic disorders. But when the same person starts the show significant changes in mood for a substantial period of time, they may have schizoaffective disorder. Mental illness with the hybrid symptoms of schizophrenia and severe mood disorder.
What is Schizoaffective disorder?
Schizoaffective disorder is a brain disorder characterized by the presence of absurd and illogical beliefs as well as a mood disorder (either bipolar or depressive). The “schizo” part of the disorder refers to the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia affect the person’s thinking, beliefs, perceptions, and senses. They might start feelings, hearing, or seeing things that aren’t there. On the other hand, the “affective” part of the disorder refers to sudden and extreme mood changes.
There are two forms of schizoaffective disorder:
Bipolar: In this form, the person can experience either manic (elevated, excited, hyperactive moods) or depressive moods along with symptoms of schizophrenia.
Depressive: In this form, the person only experiences depressive symptoms along with symptoms of schizophrenia.
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Prevalence of Schizoaffective disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is not studied as much as other brain disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder but it is estimated that on average 3 in every 1000 people have schizoaffective disorder. However, it’s possible that this number is vastly underestimated because of misdiagnosis and somewhat unclear diagnostic criteria.
The symptoms of psychosis and mood disorder can become evident around adolescence. The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder are much more extreme than normal teenage behavior.
Symptoms of Schizoaffective disorder
The symptoms, the period they last for, and their intensity varies from person to person but in general, people suffering from schizoaffective disorder experience the following psychotic symptoms along with either manic or depressive symptoms (or both).
Psychotic Symptoms
These include the hallmark features of psychosis such as false perceptions like hearing, seeing, feeling, and smelling things that aren’t actually there. These are called hallucinations. Another major symptom includes the presence of delusions – strong beliefs that are not shared with others in the same society. The person may also have trouble speaking in proper syntax, display odd behavior, and not act like their usual self (negative symptoms).
Manic Symptoms
Manic symptoms refer to “highs” where the person may:
- Become irritated easily or may even rage
- Feel energetic
- Insomnia (sleeplessness)
- Find it hard to concentrate
Depressive Symptoms
Manic symptoms refer to “highs” where the person is:
- Fatigued and sad all the time
- Eating and sleeping too much or too little
- Unable to concentrate and lose interest
- Suicidal or may feel less than others.
Causes of Schizoaffective disorder
The following factors can influence the onset and progression of the illness:
1. Genetic influences
While it’s not completely known how genetics affect the disorder, many believe that having a parent or a close relative with schizoaffective disorder can be a risk factor and increase the chances of someone else developing the disorder in the family. In a twin study, the chances of an identical twin developing schizoaffective disorder are 40 percent higher if the other twin develops it.
2. Environmental Influences
Stressful environments or traumatic events can lead to both depressive or schizophrenic symptoms that can influence the development of the illness.
3. Substance Abuse
It’s known that drug and alcohol use has a connection with development psychotic and bipolar disorders.
Diagnosis of Schizoaffective disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is often misdiagnosed as either bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder due to the presence of overlapping symptoms. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders states the following as the diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective disorder:
1. An uninterrupted period of illness during which there is a major mood episode (major depressive or manic) concurrent with Criterion A of schizophrenia.
Note: The major depressive episode must include Criterion A1: Depressed mood.
2. Delusions or hallucinations for 2 or more weeks in the absence of a major mood episode (depressive or manic) during the lifetime duration of the illness.
3. Symptoms that meet criteria for a major mood episode are present for the majority of the total duration of the active and residual portions of the illness.
4. The disturbance is not attributable to the effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition.
Treatment of Schizoaffective disorder
The most common approach used to treat schizoaffective disorder includes prescribing antipsychotic medications for psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions and antidepressants or mood stabilizers for mood disorders.
A physician might also prescribe psychotherapy to help manage and control the illness from taking over the person’s life. There are other forms of therapies available as well like family therapy, occupational therapy, and group therapy.
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