Risk factors include a family history of schizophrenia or affective disorder . The incidence and prevalence of this disorder are unknown, but it is thought to be less common than schizophrenia or affective disorders. Women may be affected more often than men. The treatment of people with schizoaffective disorder depends upon the mood disorder associated with the illness. Medication is the most common form of treatment for this disorder.
Neuroleptic medications are the major groups of medications used to treat psychotic symptoms.
The medication may take up to 3 weeks to relieve symptoms. With a manic mood disturbance, lithium may be used with or without neuroleptic medication. With a depressed mood disturbance, treatment with antidepressants alone is usually not effective. Neuroleptic medications may be used in combination with antidepressants in some people. Some improvement may be seen in people receiving treatment for this disorder, but the condition may be chronic and the level of functioning may not return to the level present before the onset of illness.