Learn About Schizoaffective Disorder

What is the definition of Schizoaffective Disorder?

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental condition that causes both a loss of contact with reality (psychosis) and mood problems (depression or mania).

What are the alternative names for Schizoaffective Disorder?

Mood disorder - schizoaffective disorder; Psychosis - schizoaffective disorder

What are the causes of Schizoaffective Disorder?

The exact cause of schizoaffective disorder is unknown. Changes in genes and chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters) may play a role.

Schizoaffective disorder is thought to be less common than schizophrenia and mood disorders. Women may have the condition more often than men. Schizoaffective disorder is rare in children.

What are the symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder?

Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder are different in each person. Often, people with schizoaffective disorder seek treatment for problems with mood, daily function, or abnormal thoughts.

Psychosis and mood problems may occur at the same time or by themselves. The disorder may involve cycles of severe symptoms followed by improvement.

The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder can include:

  • Changes in appetite and energy
  • Disorganized speech that is not logical
  • False beliefs (delusions), such as thinking someone is trying to harm you (paranoia) or thinking that special messages are hidden in common places (delusions of reference)
  • Lack of concern with hygiene or grooming
  • Mood that is either too good, or depressed or irritable
  • Problems sleeping
  • Problems with concentration
  • Sadness or hopelessness
  • Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
  • Social isolation
  • Speaking so quickly that others cannot interrupt you
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What are the current treatments for Schizoaffective Disorder?

Treatment can vary. In general, your provider will prescribe medicines to improve your mood and treat psychosis:

  • Antipsychotic medicines are used to treat psychotic symptoms.
  • Antidepressant medicines, or mood stabilizers, may be prescribed to improve mood.

Talk therapy can help with creating plans, solving problems, and maintaining relationships. Group therapy can help with social isolation.

Support and work training may be helpful for work skills, relationships, money management, and living situations.

Who are the top Schizoaffective Disorder Local Doctors?

Asante Physician Partners

2825 E Barnett Rd, 
Medford, OR 
 2.3 mi
Accepting New Patients

Jennifer Wabin is a Psychiatrist in Medford, Oregon. Dr. Wabin has been practicing medicine for over 21 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder. Her top areas of expertise are Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder (BPD), and Major Depression. Dr. Wabin is currently accepting new patients.

Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioner
140 South Holly Street, 
Medford, OR 
 0.2 mi

Patricia Andries is a Nurse Practitioner in Medford, Oregon. Andries and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder. Her top area of expertise is Schizoaffective Disorder.

 
 
 
 
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140 South Holly Street, 
Medford, OR 
 0.2 mi
Accepting New Patients

Luis Oxholm is a Psychiatrist in Medford, Oregon. Dr. Oxholm and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder. His top areas of expertise are Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder (BPD), and Schizoaffective Disorder. Dr. Oxholm is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Schizoaffective Disorder?

People with schizoaffective disorder have a greater chance of going back to their previous level of function than do people with most other psychotic disorders. But long-term treatment is often needed, and results vary from person to person.

What are the possible complications of Schizoaffective Disorder?

Complications are similar to those for schizophrenia and major mood disorders. These include:

  • Substance misuse
  • Problems following medical treatment and therapy
  • Problems due to manic behavior (for example, spending sprees, overly sexual behavior)
  • Suicidal behavior
When should I contact a medical professional for Schizoaffective Disorder?

Contact your provider if you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following:

  • Depression with feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
  • Inability to care for basic personal needs
  • Increase in energy and involvement in risky behavior that is sudden and not normal for you (for instance, going days without sleeping and feeling no need for sleep)
  • Strange or unusual thoughts or perceptions
  • Symptoms that get worse or do not improve with treatment
  • Thoughts of suicide or of harming others

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.

You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.

If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help.

What are the latest Schizoaffective Disorder Clinical Trials?
A Phase 1b, Open-label Study to Determine the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Single, Ascending Doses of Lumateperone Long-acting Injectable Formulations Administered Intramuscularly to Patients With Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder

Summary: Study ITI-007-037 is a Phase 1b, open-label study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and PK of lumateperone long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations after a single intramuscular injection in patients with stale schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

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Effectiveness of Cue-based Intervention in Improving Prospective Memory by Enhancing Medication Adherence in Patients With Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary: Medication adherence is a major challenge while treating patients with major mental illnesses like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This interventional study aims to assess the improvement in prospective memory and thus medication adherence by giving time and event-based cues to the participants.

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 04, 2024
Published By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

American Psychiatric Association website. Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.

Lim C, Paudel S, Holt D, Freudenreich O. Psychosis and schizophrenia. In: Stern TA, Wilens TE, Fava M, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 27.

Lyness JM, Lee HB. Psychiatric disorders in medical practice. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 362.