Schizoaffective disorder

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Schizoaffective disorder

Definition:

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Schizoaffective disorder includes elements of both psychosis and mood disorder. Psychotic symptoms mean a loss of contact with reality, and may include hallucinations (hearing voices or seeing things that are not present), and delusions (false, fixed beliefs). Symptoms of mood disorder include very low or very high mood with sleep disturbances, changes in energy and appetite, disrupted concentration, and generally poor daily function. Schizoaffective illness features a close interconnection between these 2 sets of symptoms.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

People with this condition often seek treatment for problems with mood, daily function or intrusive thoughts.

To be diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a person must experience psychotic symptoms - but normal mood - for at least 2 weeks.

The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but factors that affect the development of both psychosis and mood disorders may play a role. These factors may include a strong genetic component and other biochemical factors.

It is not known how commonly schizoaffective disorder occurs, but it is believed to be less common than schizophrenia or mood disorders. Women may be affected more often than men. While mood disorders are relatively common in children, a full syndrome of schizophrenia is not. Therefore schizoaffective disorder tends to be rare in children.