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
Symptoms of mania include:
- increased energy, activity, and restlessness
- excessively "high", euphoric mood
- irritability
- racing thoughts and talking very fast
- jumping between ideas
- unrealistic beliefs in abilities and powers
- little sleep needed
- poor judgment
- being easily distracted
Depression
Symptoms of depression include:
- lasting sad, anxiousness, or empty mood
- feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- sleeping too much / too little
- change in appetite / weight loss or gain
- feelings of worthlessness, or helplessness
- thoughts of death/suicide
- decreased energy
- difficulty concentrating, making decisions, remembering things
Psychosis
Symptoms of psychosis include:- disorganised speech or thinking
- change in behaviour
- delusions
- being withdrawn
- hallucinations
- poor motivation
