This is a long-term mental health condition in which a person suffers both the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia and the deregulated emotions that characterize bipolar disorder at the same time.
What is it?
While symptoms may vary from person to person, one episode will feature both psychotic and mood symptoms (manic, depressive, or both) for part of the time and a period with only psychotic or mood symptoms for most of the time over a period of at least two weeks. Schizoaffective disorder can be
triggered by traumatic events that took place when a person was too young to know how to cope or was not being cared for in a way that made it possible to develop coping skills. Genetics may play a part, too. It is more common in women and usually begins in early adulthood. A mental health professional will
assess the symptoms and will want to know how long they have been present, and what triggers them. This chronic condition impacts every aspect of a person’s life, but symptoms can be managed. Family interventions to raise awareness of the disorder can improve communication and support.
The different forms
People with this disorder experience periods of psychotic symptoms—such as hallucinations or delusions—with mood disorder symptoms of either a manic type or a depressive type, but sometimes both. The condition features cycles of severe symptoms followed by periods of improvement.
Mood disorder symptoms
Manic type is hyperactive, feels high, cannot sleep, and takes risks.
Depressive type feels sad, empty, and worthless, even suicidal.
Mixed type has symptoms of both depression and mania.
TREATMENT
❯ Medication is needed long-term; usually combinations of mood stabilizers plus antidepressants for depressive types or antipsychotics for manic types .
❯ Cognitive behavioral therapy can help a person make links between thoughts, feelings, and actions; learn the cues preceding behavior change; sand develop coping strategies.
1%of the population is likely
to develop schizoaffective disorder
Vnotes Education 
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