Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective disorder (SAD) is a mental health condition characterized by mood disorder and psychotic disorder symptoms that do not have enough of the criteria for diagnosis of a mood disorder or schizophrenia individually.

SAD is often misdiagnosed as a mood disorder or a psychotic disorder, but the main difference with schizoaffective disorder is that in addition to the manic or depressive episodes, the psychotic symptoms can last for two or more weeks without any major mood episode. The right diagnosis will ensure the right treatment.

Prevalence

SAD affects less than 0.8% of the general population at some point during their lives, and the onset of symptoms usually occurs between 16 and 30 years of age. It is more common in females than males; however, this is because of the high proportion of females in the depressive subcategory, whereas the bipolar subtype affects men and women equally.

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