Schizoaffective Disorder

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**Schizoaffective Disorder** is a mental health condition that can affect ones thoughts, mood and behavior. One may experience episodes that are a combination of psychotic symptoms and manic and depressive symptoms.

Many with schizoaffective disorder are often incorrectly diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

## Types of Schizoaffective Disorder

There are three types of schizoaffective disorder:

### Manic Type

Manic type schizoaffective disorder is when one has both psychotic and manic symptoms, occurring within one episode.

### Depressed Type

Depressed type schizoaffective disorder includes only depressive episodes with psychotic symptoms.

### Mixed Type

Mixed type schizoaffective disorder is when one has psychotic symptoms with both manic and depressive symptoms.

## Signs & Symptoms

Schizoaffective disorder symptoms may vary from individual to individual. Individuals with the condition experience psychotic symptoms as well as a major mood episode.

Although the development and course of schizoaffective disorder may vary, defining features include a major mood episode and at least a two-week period of psychotic symptoms when a major mood episode is not present.

Signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder depend on the type.

### Psychotic Symptoms

Psychotic symptoms are similar to those experienced in schizophrenia, including:

* Hallucinations.
* Delusions.

In general, one may feel:

* Their thoughts becoming very disorientated.
* Very confused or frightened.
* Angry.
* Depressed.
* Excited and elated.

### Mood Symptoms

The mood symptoms are similar to those experienced in bipolar disorder and include both manic and depressive symptoms.

#### Depressive Symptoms

* Low or sad mood.
* Thoughts of death or suicide.
* Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
* Guilt or self-blame.
* Lack of energy and low mood.
* Loss of interest in usual activities.
* Poor appetite.
* Changes in sleeping patterns.
* Trouble concentrating.
* Weight loss or gain.

#### Manic Symptoms

* Agitation.
* Distractability.
* Increased or rapid talking.
* Increased work, social and sexual activity.
* Inflated self-esteem.
* Not sleeping much.
* Rapid or racing thoughts.
* Self-destructive and dangerous behavior.

## Causes

Researchers don't know the exact cause of schizoaffective disorder. They believe several factors are involved.

Schizoaffective disorder might be hereditary. Parents may pass down the tendency to develop the condition to their children. Schizoaffective disorder can also occur in several members of an extended family.

Individuals with the disorder may have an imbalance of brain chemicals. Abnormalities in the size of composition of different brain regions may be associated with developing schizoaffective disorder.

Certain environmental factors may trigger schizoaffective disorder in individuals who inherited a higher risk. Factors may include stressful situations, emotional trauma or certain viral infections. Using psychoactive drugs may lead to the development of schizoaffective disorder.

## Known Individuals with Schizoaffective Disorder

### Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson, member of the American rock band The Beach Boys, was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder before it was a well-studied condition. He reported experiencing auditory hallucinations since the age of 25, "Well, for the past 40 years I've had auditory hallucinations in my head, all day every day, and I can't get them out." he's said in an interview with Ability Magazine in 2006, "Well, my depression goes pretty low, pretty deep. I get depressed to the point where I can't do anything."

## Resources

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizoaffective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354504?p=1

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/schizoaffective-disorder/symptoms/

https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizoaffective-Disorder

https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/learn-more-about-conditions/schizoaffective-disorder/

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/schizoaffective-disorder

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21544-schizoaffective-disorder

https://abilitymagazine.com/past/brianW/brianw.html