Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder

In-depth information on symptoms of schizoaffective disorder.

Schizoaffective disorder symptoms look like a mixture of two kinds of major mental illnesses that are usually thought to run in different families, involve different brain mechanisms, develop in different ways, and respond to different treatments. They are mood disorders and schizophrenia.

Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder

The two major mood disorders are unipolar depression and bipolar or manic-depressive illness.

Seriously depressed people:

• feel constantly sad and fatigued
• are indecisive and unable to concentrate
• complain of various physical symptoms
• have lost interest in everyday activities
• sleep and eat too little or too much
• may have recurrent thoughts of death and suicide

People experiencing a manic mood are:

• suffering from sleeplessness.
• agitated and distractible.
• susceptible to buying sprees; indiscreet sexual advances, and foolish investments.
• compulsively talkative.
• convinced of their own inflated importance.
• prone to cheerfulness turning to irritability, paranoia, and rage.

People with chronic schizophrenia:

• appear apathetic.
• have limited speech.
• may suffer from hallucinations and delusions.
• have confused thinking.
• perplex others with their strange behavior and inappropriate emotional reactions.
• are emotionally unresponsive.

(Find out what it's like living with schizoaffective disorder)

next: Schizoaffective Disorder: Difficulty In Distinguishing Illnesses

also: Treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder