Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are the Two Types of Schizoaffective Disorder?Symptoms & SignsCauses & Risk FactorsTreatmentPrognosisIs Schizoaffective Disorder the Same as Psychotic Depression?Helping a Loved OneCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Are the Two Types of Schizoaffective Disorder?

Symptoms & Signs

Causes & Risk Factors

Treatment

Prognosis

Is Schizoaffective Disorder the Same as Psychotic Depression?

Helping a Loved One

Coping

Close

This can mean having at least one episode ofbipolar type I or II, or havingmajor depressive episodes. The depressive type of schizoaffective disorder involves mood episodes that meet the criteria for major depression.

There are two types of schizoaffective disorder: depressive andbipolar type.The DSM-5 defines the depressive type of schizoaffective disorder as involving mood episodes that meet the criteria for major depression.

The bipolar type of schizoaffective disorder involvesmanic,hypomanic, ormixed episodes:

Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type Symptoms & Signs

Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder depressive type include symptoms of both schizophrenia and depression.

These symptoms may vary depending on the patient’s age, personal experiences, and other factors.

Examples of Schizophrenia Symptoms in Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type

Examples of Depression Symptoms in Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type

Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type Causes & Risk Factors

The exact cause of schizoaffective disorder depressive type is not yet known. However, it is believed that having a family history of mental illness may play a role.

Traumatic experiences such as child abuseand exposure to viruses during pregnancymay also increase the risk for developing this condition.

Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type Treatments

Treatment for schizoaffective disorder depressive type may include antipsychotic medication, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, psychosocial treatments, and other therapies.

Medication for Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type

The treatment for schizoaffective disorder depressive type is a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Doctors usually begin with antipsychotic medication, along with an antidepressant or another type of medication that may help with depression symptoms.

Psychotherapy for Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type

The doctor will usually recommend psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) to help patients cope with schizoaffective disorder depressive type symptoms like depression, psychosis, hallucinations, and delusions.

Psychotherapy may include the following approaches:

The doctor may recommend different types of psychotherapy based on the patient’s symptoms, age, and other medical conditions. Therapy may be short-term or ongoing depending on the patient’s goals and needs.

It is important to realize that schizoaffective disorder depressive type symptoms can be severe and may not respond to therapy alone. Even if therapy relieves some symptoms, other symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions may require additional treatment.

Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type Prognosis

Prognosis for schizoaffective disorder depressive type varies depending on the severity of symptoms and other medical problems.

Patients with schizoaffective disorder depressive type who receive the appropriate treatment and follow their doctor’s instructions usually see improvement in symptoms.

Schizoaffective disorder is not the same as psychotic depression.Schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness that includes symptoms of both schizophrenia and depression.

Psychotic depression is a type of severe depression with psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions.

Helping a Loved One With Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type

While many people diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder depressive type can lead fulfilling lives, symptoms of the condition may make it challenging for some to succeed at work or school.

If you are caring for someone who is living with schizoaffective disorder depressive type, here are some ways that you can help:

Coping With Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive Type

To help cope with schizoaffective disorder depressive type, here are some tips:

A Word From Verywell

Schizoaffective disorder depressive type, just like any other mental illness, can be challenging to overcome. However, you or your loved one can get better with the right treatment plan.

If you are struggling to cope with schizoaffective disorder depressive type symptoms, remember that there are people who can help you.

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wy TJP, Saadabadi A.Schizoaffective Disorder. [Updated 2021 Aug 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541012/National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizoaffective Disorder.Miller JN, Black DW.Schizoaffective disorder: A review.Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2019;31(1):47-53.Schäfer I, Fisher HL.Childhood trauma and psychosis - what is the evidence?.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2011;13(3):360-365. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2011.13.2/ischaeferDebost JP, Larsen JT, Munk-Olsen T, Mortensen PB, Meyer U, Petersen L.Joint Effects of Exposure to Prenatal Infection and Peripubertal Psychological Trauma in Schizophrenia.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(1):171-179. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbw083Cascade E, Kalali AH, Buckley P.Treatment of schizoaffective disorder.Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2009;6(3):15-17.Pinna F, Sanna L, Perra V, et al.Long-term outcome of schizoaffective disorder. Are there any differences with respect to schizophrenia?.Riv Psichiatr. 2014;49(1):41-49. doi:10.1708/1407.15624Kempf L, Hussain N, Potash JB.Mood disorder with psychotic features, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia with mood features: trouble at the borders.Int Rev Psychiatry. 2005;17(1):9-19. doi:10.1080/09540260500064959

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wy TJP, Saadabadi A.Schizoaffective Disorder. [Updated 2021 Aug 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541012/National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizoaffective Disorder.Miller JN, Black DW.Schizoaffective disorder: A review.Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2019;31(1):47-53.Schäfer I, Fisher HL.Childhood trauma and psychosis - what is the evidence?.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2011;13(3):360-365. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2011.13.2/ischaeferDebost JP, Larsen JT, Munk-Olsen T, Mortensen PB, Meyer U, Petersen L.Joint Effects of Exposure to Prenatal Infection and Peripubertal Psychological Trauma in Schizophrenia.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(1):171-179. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbw083Cascade E, Kalali AH, Buckley P.Treatment of schizoaffective disorder.Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2009;6(3):15-17.Pinna F, Sanna L, Perra V, et al.Long-term outcome of schizoaffective disorder. Are there any differences with respect to schizophrenia?.Riv Psichiatr. 2014;49(1):41-49. doi:10.1708/1407.15624Kempf L, Hussain N, Potash JB.Mood disorder with psychotic features, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia with mood features: trouble at the borders.Int Rev Psychiatry. 2005;17(1):9-19. doi:10.1080/09540260500064959

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Wy TJP, Saadabadi A.Schizoaffective Disorder. [Updated 2021 Aug 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541012/National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizoaffective Disorder.Miller JN, Black DW.Schizoaffective disorder: A review.Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2019;31(1):47-53.Schäfer I, Fisher HL.Childhood trauma and psychosis - what is the evidence?.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2011;13(3):360-365. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2011.13.2/ischaeferDebost JP, Larsen JT, Munk-Olsen T, Mortensen PB, Meyer U, Petersen L.Joint Effects of Exposure to Prenatal Infection and Peripubertal Psychological Trauma in Schizophrenia.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(1):171-179. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbw083Cascade E, Kalali AH, Buckley P.Treatment of schizoaffective disorder.Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2009;6(3):15-17.Pinna F, Sanna L, Perra V, et al.Long-term outcome of schizoaffective disorder. Are there any differences with respect to schizophrenia?.Riv Psichiatr. 2014;49(1):41-49. doi:10.1708/1407.15624Kempf L, Hussain N, Potash JB.Mood disorder with psychotic features, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia with mood features: trouble at the borders.Int Rev Psychiatry. 2005;17(1):9-19. doi:10.1080/09540260500064959

Wy TJP, Saadabadi A.Schizoaffective Disorder. [Updated 2021 Aug 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541012/

National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizoaffective Disorder.

Miller JN, Black DW.Schizoaffective disorder: A review.Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2019;31(1):47-53.

Schäfer I, Fisher HL.Childhood trauma and psychosis - what is the evidence?.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2011;13(3):360-365. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2011.13.2/ischaefer

Debost JP, Larsen JT, Munk-Olsen T, Mortensen PB, Meyer U, Petersen L.Joint Effects of Exposure to Prenatal Infection and Peripubertal Psychological Trauma in Schizophrenia.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(1):171-179. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbw083

Cascade E, Kalali AH, Buckley P.Treatment of schizoaffective disorder.Psychiatry (Edgmont). 2009;6(3):15-17.

Pinna F, Sanna L, Perra V, et al.Long-term outcome of schizoaffective disorder. Are there any differences with respect to schizophrenia?.Riv Psichiatr. 2014;49(1):41-49. doi:10.1708/1407.15624

Kempf L, Hussain N, Potash JB.Mood disorder with psychotic features, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia with mood features: trouble at the borders.Int Rev Psychiatry. 2005;17(1):9-19. doi:10.1080/09540260500064959

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