Includes Mood Symptoms and Psychotic Symptoms
Verywell / JR Bee
What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?
It is usually first diagnosed between age 16 and 30 and is rare in children.
Individuals with schizoaffective disorder tend to have periods of improvement followed by periods of worsening symptoms.
Verywell / JR Bee
Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder
Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder tend to be severe and vary for each individual.
They can be broadly categorized into depressive symptoms, manic symptoms, and schizophrenia symptoms.
Depressive Symptoms
Depressive symptoms of schizoaffective disorder may be psychological or physical.
Physical symptoms include slow movements or no movement (catatonia) and poor personal hygiene.
You may also feel like your thoughts are not within your control.
You may feel someone is inserting thoughts into your head or that your thoughts are being removed.
You might also feel like others can hear your thoughts or access them.
In fact, these voices are created by your brain and are not real.
Sometimes they are related to the voices that you hear and seem to explain them in some way.
Most often delusions are paranoid, such that you think people are plotting against you or spying on you.
You might choose to avoid those people as it can feel very scary.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Depending on the suspected diagnosis, this may mean undergoing blood testing and brain imaging.
The mood symptoms must also be present for most of the duration of the illness.
Causes of Schizoaffective Disorder
Researchers do not know precisely what causes schizoaffective disorder.
Aco-occurring disordercan exacerbate the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder and make a person less likely to follow their treatment plan.
Treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder
Treatment can help people with schizoaffective disorder to live a more fulfilling life.
Treatment may come in the form of medication, therapy, or hospitalization, depending on the particular symptoms.
Often, people with schizoaffective disorder need to take medication for the rest of their lives.
Family members can participate in therapy to learn how best to support their loved ones.
There is, unfortunately, no cure for schizoaffective disorder and long-term treatment and management is often required.
Schizoaffective disorder is a serious and lifelong condition.
Effective treatments are available that can help manage symptoms, improve functioning, and foster well-being.
In the case of an acute psychotic episode, hospitalization may be necessary.
In addition, people with this disorder may be disconnected from reality.
Not being able to sleep or feelings of paranoia may be one signal that this is happening.
National Alliance on Mental Health.Schizoaffective disorder.
2007;64(1):19-28. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.64.1.19
Cleveland Clinic.Schizoaffective disorder.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.
2019;16:36-42. doi:10.1016/j.scog.2019.01.001
Miller JN, Black DW.Schizoaffective disorder: A review.Ann Clin Psychiatry.
2019;31(1):47-53.
