What is Schizoaffective Disorder?

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

Schizoaffective disorder defined. Symptoms and treatment for schizoaffective disorder.

Schizoaffective disorder is an uninterrupted period of illness during which, at some time, there is either a Major Depressive Episode, a Manic Episode, or a Mixed Episode concurrent with symptoms that meet the first criteria for Schizophrenia. Note: The Major Depressive Episode must include depressed mood.

During the same period of illness, there have been delusions or hallucinations for at least 2 weeks in the absence of prominent mood symptoms. Symptoms that meet criteria for a mood episode are present for a substantial portion of the total duration of the active and residual periods of the illness. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

next: Symptoms, Causes Treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder or Living with Schizoaffective Disorder