Subacute Phase Consideration should be given to discontinuing or reducing antipsychotic medication as acute psychotic features or agitation resolves. A Long-term or intermittent use of adjunctive antipsychotic medication may be necessary in some clients whose mood or behavioral symptoms have not responded to mood stabilizer monotherapy. B Novel antipsychotic agents may be effective alternatives for some clients with bipolar disorder. Suppes et al. Keck et al.
Schizoaffective disorder is a complex and poorly understood clinical entity.
AND During the same period of illness, there have been delusions or hallucinations in the absence of prominent mood symptoms for at least 2 weeks. AND The symptoms are not due to substance abuse or a general medical condition. These diagnoses are not accurate and may reflect cross-sectional rather than longitudinal person evaluations. This suggests that the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder should be used conservatively and reserved for persons who do not meet criteria for schizophreniform or mood disorders. Pharmacologic treatment of schizoaffective disorder has not been extensively studied.