- Schizoaffective Disorder is a controversial diagnostic category.
This disorder is defined as concurrently occurring symptoms of both Schizophrenia
and Affective (mood) Disorders. Because the symptomology of Schizoaffective
is similar to Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders, some researchers
believe Schizoaffective is a subtype of one or both of these disorders.
However, other researchers see Schizoaffective Disorder as a separate and
distinct disorder .
- The person has symptoms of Depression or Mania
for a large part of the time while he/she is actively ill and when the
illness has subsided.
Types of Schizoaffective Disorder
Bipolar Type: The disorder includes Manic or Manic and
Depressive episodes.
Depressive Type: The disorder includes only Depressive
episodes.
- Schizoaffective Disorder is typically first displayed
in early adulthood, but may occur at any time in life.
- The prevalence
rate of Schizoaffective Disorder is difficult to identify due to the
difficulty in reliable diagnosis. However, it is estimated to occur
in less than one-percent of the population.
- During the period
of illness, the person has delusions or hallucinations for at least two
weeks without any prominent mood symptoms.
Symptoms
A continuous period of illness during which there is a
period of a Major Depressive episode or a Manic episode concurrent with two
or more symptoms of Schizophrenia:
Symptoms of Schizophrenia |
| |
|
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized speech
- Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
|
- Negative symptoms, such as affective flattening, decreased motivation,
lack of fluency in speech/thought, lack of capacity to enjoy
|
| |
|
Symptoms of Depression |
| |
|
- Depressed mood
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Irritability
- Inability to enjoy activities
- Change in eating patterns
|
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Restlessness
- Inability to concentrate
- Thoughts of death
|
| |
|
Symptoms of Mania |
|
- Elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
- Inflated self-esteem
- Decreased sleep
- More talkative
- Racing Thoughts
|
- Distractibility
- Increase in goal directed activity
- Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities
- Irritability
|
Causes
- The cause of Schizoaffective Disorder is unclear. Some
researchers believe it may be a combination of Schizophrenia and Affective
Disorder, thus having the same cause as these disorders.
- Schizoaffective
Disorder has some genetic links. In some studies, individuals with Schizoaffective
Disorder have higher rates of Schizophrenia and lower rates of Mood Disorders
in their families as compared to individuals with Mood Disorders. In
other studies, there are higher rates of Mood Disorders and lower rates
of Schizophrenia in families of an individual who has Schizoaffective Disorder
than in families with a member who has Schizophrenia.
Treatments
- Treatment for Schizoaffective Disorder is largely based
on the symptomology that the individual presents.
- Lithium is commonly used
to treat the bipolar type of the disorder.
- Antipsychotic medications are
effective in treating psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations.
- Antidepressants may also be a useful mode of treatment.
- Many times a
combination of antidepressants and antipsychotic medications will be
used to treat this disorder.
- Electro-convulsive Therapy
(ECT) has been effective for individuals who do not respond to medications,
particularly for those with an acute illness.
Suggested Readings
Surviving Schizophrenia: A Family
Manual by Torrey, M.D.,
E. Fuller
The Broken Brain by Andreasen, M.D., Nancy
Schizophrenia
and Manic Depressive Disorder by Torrey, M.D., E. Fuller; Bowler, M.S., Ann
E.; Taylor, Ph.D., Edward H. & Gottesman, Ph.D., Irving
I.
Overcoming Depression by Papolos, Dimitri & Janis
We
Heard the Angels of Madness by Berger, Diane & Lisa
If you or someone you know would like more
information on mental illness or wish to request an educational presentation,
please contact:
NAMI IOWA (Alliance for the Mentally Ill
of Iowa)
5911 Meredith Drive Suite E
Des Moines IA 50322-1903
Phone: (515) 254-0417 or (800) 417-0417 IOWA ONLY
Fax: (515) 254-1103
Email: info@namiiowa.com
