What is Schizoaffective Disorder?
Schizoaffective disorder is a type of schizophrenia spectrum disorder which lies in the category of psychotic disorder. It is named as “schizoaffective disorder” as it has two types of episodes
“Schizo” mean symptoms of psychosis
“Affective” means symptoms relevant to mood
In this person is experiencing the symptoms psychosis with the symptoms of mood elevation. So it lies in the middle of the spectrum with schizophrenia at one end of the spectrum, and bipolar disorder at the other end of the spectrum. As schizoaffective shares many symptoms of schizophrenia and symptoms of bipolar disorder so it is mentioned as a separate category in DSM5TR.
This can start to develop at any age of life in any person, but usually it starts developing in young adults. So this is a mix of symptoms of schizophrenia like delusions, hallucinations and negative symptoms and mood disorder symptoms like depression, mania and hypomania. In schizoaffective change the way of thinking, behaving and acting in a person.
Diagnostic Criteria of Schizoaffective Disorder
The diagnostic criteria according to DSM 5TR is:
Diagnostic Criteria A.
A constant period of illness with having major mood episode with depression and with manic episodes. And also have symptoms of schizophrenia which must be present from given symptoms
- Delusions.
- Hallucinations.
- Disorganized speech (derailment)
- Disorganized or Catatonic behavior
- Negative symptoms (lack of emotions)
From above mentioned symptoms of schizophrenia 1 or more than one must be present.
Diagnostic Criteria B.
From the symptoms of schizophrenia two of them which are hallucinations and delusions one of them must be present for the duration of two weeks. While in the absence of depressive or manic episodes the symptoms of schizophrenia occur and this pattern continues during the life time duration of illness.
Diagnostic Criteria C.
The symptoms of mood deregulation meet the criteria of major mood episodes. Mood deregulation symptoms must be present during the actual or residual phase of illness.
Diagnostic Criteria D.
The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder must not be due to another medical condition or any substance abuse.
Complications due to Schizoaffective Disorder
The persons who have schizoaffective disorder are at greater danger of
- Either committing suicide or thinking of suicidal thoughts persistently
- Suffering from anxiety
- Social isolation
- Use of alcohol or other addictive substances
- Suffering from various health conditions like heart attack and obesity
- Aggression