Schitzoaffective Disorder?

Posted by Tom on April 21, 1999 at 12:35:06
Please explain Schitzoaffective Disorder and how it differintiates from schitzophrenia or bipolar disorder?  I can find very little info on the subject.  Is this a "real" diagnosis?  Any help would be greatly appreciated!
TOM

Posted by HFHS.MD.D.E. on April 27, 1999 at 09:32:59
Dear Tom;
Schizoaffective Disorder has features of both schizophrenia and mood disorders. The clinical signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder include all the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia (delusions,hallucinations,disorganized speech and behavior,etc.), and of a mood disorder, either manic episodes (inability to sleep, racing thoughts, increase goal directed activities,etc.) or depressive episodes (dysphoria,sleep disturbance, appetite disturbance,hopelessness,etc.). This combination of mood symptoms and hallucinations or delusions makes Schizoaffective Disorder different from Schizophrenia.For a diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder to be made, there has to be a duration of two weeks where the patient has hallucinations and delusions but is not depressed or manic. This differs from Bipolar Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder where the psychosis always accompanies the mood disturbance. The major treatment for schizoaffective disorder are medication and psychosocial interventions.To answer your question, Schizoaffective Disorder is a "real diagnosis" and the timing of mood symptoms in relation to the psychosis is the major factor in differentiating it from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. I hope this information was helpful. It is however intended for general information only and does not substitute for a medical consultation. If interested, please call Henry Ford Behavioral Services at [phone] for evaluation.
Key words: Schizoaffective/Schizophrenia