Schizoaffective disorder

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Definition

Schizoaffective disorder is a condition in which a person meets the criteria for both schizophrenia and a mood disorder.

The term "schizoaffective disorder" was introduced in 1933 by a doctor who determined that some patients showed symptoms different enough from schizophrenia to warrant a separate diagnosis. They experienced psychosis — such as hallucinations or delusions, characteristic of schizophrenia — and also had symptoms of elevated or depressed mood.

Untreated, people with schizoaffective disorder may lead lonely lives and have trouble holding down a job or attending school. Or, they may rely heavily on family or psychiatric group homes, provided a diagnosis is made. With treatment, the prognosis for people with schizoaffective disorder seems to be better than for people with schizophrenia alone, and not as good as for people with a mood disorder alone.

Experts still debate whether schizoaffective disorder should be treated as a distinct disorder. Attitudes have ranged from regarding the condition simply as schizophrenia with some mood symptoms — to viewing it as a separate disease with distinct symptoms and treatments.

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Symptoms