Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective Disorder

Much has been written on the topic of schizophrenia and depression, or MDD – Major Depressive Disorder, but less is known about schizoaffective disorder, a condition featuring elements of both a mood disorder and schizophrenia. Thus, as classified by the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) and ICD (International Classification of Diseases), schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness that affects your moods and thoughts and combines elements of schizophrenia and mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression.

In depression, activities once enjoyed are no longer pleasurable. Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

The disorder is relatively rare, with a lifetime prevalence of around 0.5% to 0.8%. Further, the prognosis seems better than that of schizophrenia, but the same or worse as compared to mood disorders. More common in women than in men, the disorder may feature psychosis, or hallucinations and delusions such as in schizophrenia. The likeness to bipolar disorder comes from the fact that people with schizoaffective disorder often experience manic, mixed or depressive episodes in addition to psychotic features. The changes in mood are characteristic of bipolar disorder. Doctors face additional challenges in diagnosing the disease because people with schizophrenia may experience changes in mood, while persons with bipolar depression may be prone to psychosis. Some scholars question whether the disorder should be categorized as separate at all.

Hallucinations and delusions are part of schizophrenia. Image : Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

In terms of treatment, several treatment options are available for individuals with schizoaffective disorder. For example, atypical antipsychotics, such as risperidone (brand name Risperdal), lurasidone (brand name Latuda) and quetiapine (Brand name Seroquel) may be used to treat the condition, among other medications and therapies. Ultimately, it is the psychiatrists who diagnose the patient and decides which treatment is best suited for him or her. However, patients do have a right to discuss their treatment, unless the patient is incapable of deciding for himself or herself or is a threat to self or others. Several legal forms exist depending on the jurisdiction which dictate whether a patient may be institutionalized against his or her will. Ultimately, these laws are designed not to circumvent patients’ freedoms and liberties, but to protect people from themselves as well as, to protect society.