Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder

Schizoaffective disorder is an illness in which there are both severe mood extremes of mania and depression, and some psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Most of the time, mania or depression will be mixed with psychotic symptoms, but there must be at least one two-week period in which there are only psychotic symptoms without any symptoms of mania or depression.

Mania


A manic episode is diagnosed if ‘high’ mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms listed under ‘mania’ most of the day, nearly every day for one week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present. A mild to moderate level of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning, so that even when family and friends learn to recognise the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong. Without proper treatment, however, hypomania can become severe mania in some people or can switch into depression.
  • Increased energy, activity, and restlessness

  • excessively "high", euphoric mood

  • extreme irritability

  • racing thoughts and talking very fast

  • jumping between ideas

  • unrealistic beliefs in abilities and powers

  • little sleep needed

  • poor judgement

  • distractibility & bad concentration

  • lasting behaviour change that is different from usual

  • abuse of drugs; cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications

  • provocative, aggressive behaviour

  • denial that anything is wrong


Depression


A depressive episode is diagnosed if five of more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of two weeks or longer.
  • Lasting sad, anxiousness, or empty mood

  • feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

  • restlessness or irritability

  • chronic pain or persisting bodily symptoms that are not caused by illness or injury

  • loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed (eg sex)
  • sleeping too much / too little
  • change in appetite / weight loss or gain

  • feelings of worthlessness, or helplessness

  • thoughts of death/suicide, suicide attempts

  • decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed
    • down"
  • difficulty concentrating, making decisions, remembering things

Psychosis


Psychosis is diagnosed when individuals may show one or more of psychotic symptoms.
  • Disorganised speech or thinking

  • disorganised behaviour

  • delusions

  • immobility

  • communication difficulties

  • hallucinations

  • poor motivation