What is schizo-affective disorder?!

Although schizoaffective disorder is regarded as a life-long problem for many people, it's relatively milder than either bipolar disorder or schizophrenia and needn't stop you from carrying on an ordinary life, studying, working, forming relationships or having a family!.

Some people only ever have one episode, but others may have flare-ups of symptoms at intervals throughout their life, usually when they are under stress!. After each relapse, most people gradually make a full recovery!. Between episodes, it's quite likely that you won't have any symptoms at all, or only minor ones!.



Schizoaffective disorder affects your thinking processes and your moods!. Moods can swing from deep depression to extreme elation in the course of one 'cycle' or episode of the disorder, and in this it resembles bipolar disorder (manic depression)!. During the same episode, you will also have schizophrenia-like symptoms, which might include seeing or hearing things that aren't apparent to anyone else (hallucinations) or believing something to be true that nobody else would believe (a delusion)!.
Depression may be the symptom you experience most!. If you are depressed you will feel sad, lonely, tired and bored with life!. You may want to sleep a great deal, but this may make you feel worse!.

If the depression gets really bad, you may not be aware of having any feelings at all, except emptiness and despair!. It may seem as if there's a gap between you and other people, which is quite unbridgable!. Your thoughts may become very morbid!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

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Schizoaffective disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis of a neurobiological illness!. It describes a condition where symptoms of a mood disorder and symptoms of schizophrenia are both present!. A person may manifest impairments in the perception or expression of reality, most commonly in the form of auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions or disorganized speech and thinking, as well as discrete manic and/or mixed and/or depressive episodes in the context of significant social or occupational dysfunction!. The disorder usually begins in early adulthood, although, rarely, it is diagnosed in childhood (prior to age 13)!. Schizoaffective disorder is more common in women than in men!. Despite the greater variety of symptoms, the illness course is more episodic and has an overall more favorable outcome (prognosis) than schizophrenia!.

There are two types of schizoaffective disorder: the bipolar type and the depressive type!. In general, schizoaffective disorder bipolar type has a better prognosis than the depressive type, which can result in a residual defect with the passing of time!.

The mainstay of treatment is pharmacotherapy with an antipsychotic and an antidepressant and/or mood stabilizer!. Psychotherapy, vocational and social rehabilitation are also important!. In more serious cases

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