Schizoaffective disorder is one of the less understood conditions because it shares diagnosing criteria with other psychiatric disorders. It is mistaken for schizophrenia as it was first classified as a subtype of this illness. Since there is no single definition for schizoaffective disorder that is agreed upon, it is difficult to conduct a large epidemiological study on its prevalence or incidence. However, it is approximated that schizoaffective disorder constitutes about 10-30% of all psychosis cases (Wy & Saadabadi, 2021). Although the precise pathophysiology of schizoaffective disorder is not known, several theories attempt to explain it. Some researchers believe that the disorder is caused by abnormalities in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Others suggest that it is caused by irregularities in the white matter and decreased hippocampal volume.
Criterion A for diagnosis of the disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) consists of hallucinations, disorganized speech, delusions, or avolition for at least a month. However, a person must have delusions and hallucinations for two weeks or more without experiencing mania or depression (Wy & Saadabadi, 2021). Finally, the manual dictates that the symptoms must not be a result of an underlying medical issue or substance use. Once an individual has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, there are various forms of pharmacotherapy treatment, including antidepressants, mood-stabilizers, and antipsychotics. They can also opt for psychotherapy management of the disorder.
Early detection is vital in the management of schizoaffective disorder. If left untreated, it can negatively impact a person’s daily life and social functioning. The management of the disorder also entails patient and family education of the condition. The patient should be encouraged to seek treatment and be provided with necessary emotional support as they undergo rehabilitation. Ultimately, the goal of treatment and therapy is to teach them to be autonomous.
Reference
Wy, T. J. & Saadabadi, A. (2021). Schizoaffective disorder. Stats Pearls. Web.