Schizoaffective disorder

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Schizoaffective disorder

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental condition that causes both psychosis and mood problems.

Psychosis means a person has a loss of contact with reality and may have hallucinations (hearing voices or seeing things that are not present) and delusions (false, fixed beliefs). Mood disorder problems may include a very bad or very good mood with sleep disturbances, changes in energy and appetite, disrupted concentration, and poor daily function.

The exact cause of schizoaffective disorder is unknown. Genetics and body chemistry may play a role.  

Schizoaffective disorder is believed to be less common than schizophrenia and mood disorders. Women may have the condition more often than men. While mood disorders are relatively common in children, a full syndrome of schizophrenia is not. Therefore schizoaffective disorder tends to be rare in children.

Review Date: 05/08/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.