Schizoaffective disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by a combination of symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as mania or depression. It's considered to be a relatively rare condition compared to schizophrenia or mood disorders alone. The exact cause of schizoaffective disorder is not fully understood, but it's believed to involve a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Here are some key points about schizoaffective disorder: Symptoms: The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder can vary widely from person to person but typically include a combination of psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking) and mood symptoms (depression, mania, or a mix of both). These symptoms can occur at the same time or separately, and their severity can fluctuate over time. Types: Schizoaffective disorder is divided into two main types based on the predominant mood symptoms: Bipolar Type: When manic episodes are a part of the condition. Depressive Type: When depressive episodes are predominant. Diagnosis: Diagnosing schizoaffective disorder can be challenging because it shares symptoms with other mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough evaluation by a mental health professional, including a review of symptoms, medical history, and sometimes psychological testing. Treatment: Treatment for schizoaffective disorder usually involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and support services. Antipsychotic medications are often prescribed to help manage psychotic symptoms, while mood stabilizers or antidepressants may be used to address mood symptoms. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or supportive therapy, can help individuals manage their symptoms and improve functioning. Additionally, support from family, friends, and support groups can be beneficial. Prognosis: The prognosis for schizoaffective disorder varies depending on factors such as the severity of symptoms, how early treatment is initiated, and the individual's response to treatment. With appropriate treatment and support, many people with schizoaffective disorder can lead fulfilling lives and manage their symptoms effectively. It's important for individuals with schizoaffective disorder to work closely with mental health professionals to develop an individualized treatment plan and to engage in ongoing care to effectively manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

1. Schizoaffective
Disorders
A PRESENTATION BY
SURAJ SHINDE
507

2. Definition
 Schizoaffective disorder is an illness that is
characterized by persistent psychotic symptoms, like
hallucinations or delusions, occurring together with
mood problems of depressive, manic, or mixed
episodes.

3. It is a mental health disorder with a combination of
symptoms of schizophrenia and that of mood disorders,
such as mania and depression.
For that reason, it can be misdiagnosed (or dual-
diagnosed).
It is less studied than the other two diagnoses, greatly
due to the difficulty in diagnosis

5. DSM V Diagnostic Criteria for
Schizoaffective Disorder
 an uninterrupted period of illness with an episode of mood disorder
(manic or major depressive disorder) concurrent with a schizophrenia
episode characterized by 2 or more of the following symptoms present
for a considerable part of a 1-month period:
delusions
hallucinations
disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)
grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
negative symptoms (i.e. affective flattening, alogia, or avolition)

6. DSM V Diagnostic Criteria for
Schizoaffective Disorder (cont.)
 During this time, at least 2 weeks with delusions and
hallucinations, in the absence of prominent mood
symptoms.
 Mood symptoms present for the majority of the
duration of the active and residual period of illness.
 Other possible etiologies such as substances (e.g.,
drug abuse, medication) or general medical
conditions have been ruled out.

7. Specified By:
Type
1. Bipolar Type – includes
one at least one manic
episode, and may include
major depressive
episodes
2. Depressive Type – having
only depression
With or without Catatonia
Catonia -- abnormality of
movement and behavior. May
involve repetitive or purposeless
overactivity, or catalepsy (trance
or seizure with rigidity in the
body), resistance to passive
movement, and negativism. It is a
state of immobility and stupor.

8. Part Of a Cluster of Diagnoses
(ICD-10 Code: F25.9)
Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions
that include:
•Schizotypal (personality) disorders
•Brief Psychotic Disorder
•Schizophreniform Disorder
•Schizophrenia
•Schizoaffective Disorder
•Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder
•Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
•Catatonia

9. Causes
The exact cause is unknown, but a combination of factors may
contribute:
 Genetic component/ family history
 Brain Chemistry and structure
 Use of mind altering drugs (psychoactive or psychotropic)
 High amounts of stress over long period (social stressors)
 Stressful events
 Children who have been abused, neglected, bullied or parental
death

10. Schizophrenia
 Chronic and severe brain
disorder
 Affects thoughts, emotions
and behaviors
 May or may not affect a
person’s mood
 Treated with
antipsychotics and
psychosocial therapy
Schizoaffective Disorder
 Chronic mental health
condition
 Symptoms of schizophrenia
and a mood disorder
 Concurrent mood swings
 Treated with antipsychotics
and antidepressants as well as
psychotherapy at times

11. Prevalence and onset
 Onset is typically in early adulthood, although it can occur
anytime from adolescence through late in life.
 0.3% of the population.
 Men and women experience the disorder at the same rate –
DSM-V says higher prevalence in women than men due to
the increase in the depressive type in females
 Men often develop the illness at an earlier age.
 It is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment

12. Affects on the brain
 Affects on the brain are more
similar to schizophrenia than
bipolar
 Grey matter volume loss
Grey matter - contains most of
the brain's cell bodies and
includes regions involved in
muscle control, and sensory
perception (such as seeing and
hearing) memory, emotions,
speech, decision making, and
self-control

13. Symptoms are Often Cycling
 Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.
 Delusions: False, fixed beliefs.
 Disorganized thinking: Only partially answering questions or
responding to questions with unrelated answers.
 Impaired functioning: Occupational, academic, social.
 Problems managing personal care: Physical appearance,
cleanliness, self-care (brushing teeth, hair, etc.)

14. Symptoms are Often Cycling
 Manic behavior: For the Bipolar subtype, people can
experience feelings of euphoria, racing thoughts, risky
behavior (sexual, financial) or sudden increase in energy and
behavior that’s out of character.
 Depressed mood: For the Depressive type, people can
experience feelings of worthlessness, sadness, and other
symptoms of depression.

15. Signs and Symptoms
 Hallucinations (voices, seeing, feeling tasting or smelling)
 Delusions (religious, paranoid, grandiose, jealous, ordinary
events have special meaning- “a sign”)
 Disorganized speech- jumping around topics (“tangential”)
 Severely disorganized life
 Limited range of emotions
 Limited movement

16. Signs and Symptoms
 Lack of good decision making and judgements
 Mania (elevated, expansive)
 Racing thoughts one cannot control
 Decreased need for sleep
 Grandiose beliefs about superiority
 Repeatedly changing topics in the middle of a conversation without
notice
 Impulsivity
 Mood Swings

17. Signs and Symptoms
 Anger, rage, aggression, irritability
 Depressed feelings, lack or worth
 Loss of interest in normal daily activities/ people
 Increased or decreased weight loss
 Low energy and fatigue
 Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

18. Social-emotional effects
 Social isolation
 Unemployment
 Anxiety
 Substance abuse
 Family discord
 Health problems
 Suicide – 5%

19. Medications:
Antipsychotics – Thorazine, Haldol, Mellaril
Mood-stabilizers – Lithium, Depkote,
Lamictal, Neurontin, Tegretol, Topamax
Antidepressants – Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa,
Lexapro

20. Diet and Lifestyle
 Encourage exercise every morning
when cortisol is highest
 Diet is fresh foods, no processed
foods if possible (tamas)

21. REFERENCES
1. "Schizoaffective Disorder Overview - Symptoms". www.nami.org.
2. ^ "Schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type". www.icd10data.com.
3. ^ "Schizoaffective disorder, depressive
type". www.icd10data.com.
4. ^ "Schizoaffective Disorder Overview - Causes". www.nami.org.

22. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION