Schizoaffective disorder

Explains what schizoaffective disorder is, including its symptoms and causes.

What are the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder?

This page has information about the different symptoms and types of schizoaffective disorder. It covers:

• Symptoms of psychosis
• Mood symptoms
• Types of schizoaffective disorder
• Diagnosing schizoaffective disorder

Symptoms of psychosis

These symptoms are similar to those experienced in schizophrenia. They include:

• Hallucinations – where you experience things that others around you don't. Like hearing voices, seeing visual hallucinations and other unexplained sensations.
• Delusions – where you might hold strong beliefs that nobody else shares. For example, a fear that everyone can hear your thoughts. Or believing that you can control the weather.

You can find out more about hallucinations and delusions in our information about psychosis.

You may also experience:

• Your thoughts becoming very disorientated
• Feeling confused or frightened
• Feeling disconnected from your emotions
• Difficulty concentrating
• A lack of motivation or interest in things

These feelings can be managed with the right combination of treatment, support and self-care.

For more information, see our page on psychosis. You could also visit Intervoice or The Hearing Voices Network.

One of the peculiar thoughts I experienced was that I was being headhunted by a company for a job, which definitely never happened. It was just an idea in my head that I had convinced myself was true.

Mood symptoms

The mood symptoms of schizoaffective disorder are similar to bipolar disorder.

They can include both:

• Manic symptoms. You may feel extremely excited or irritated. Or make unrealistic plans and behave in ways that might put you at risk.
• Depressive symptoms. You may feel sad and low or have sleep problems. You may also feel disconnected from others. Or have suicidal feelings. 

The periods of time where you have mood symptoms are sometimes called 'episodes'. You may have depressive episodes, manic episodes, or both.

You may also get symptoms of mania and depression at the same time. Or very quickly after each other. This is called a 'mixed episode'.

Episodes can vary in length. Some people have repeated episodes. But this doesn’t happen for everybody.

See our pages on bipolar disorder, mania and hypomania and depression for more information.

On my bad days, I felt I was a pathetic coward who didn't deserve to breathe. And on my good days I believed I was a god in waiting.

Types of schizoaffective disorder

• Bipolar type. This means you have manic episodes alongside symptoms of psychosis. You may also have depressive episodes.
• Depressive type. This means you only have depressive episodes alongside symptoms of psychosis. 

How is schizoaffective disorder different from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder?

Schizoaffective disorder is its own diagnosis. But schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can involve similar symptoms.

Diagnosing schizoaffective disorder can be hard. Not all professionals agree on how best to diagnose or describe it.

But a doctor might diagnose you with schizoaffective disorder if you have:

• Symptoms that last for a month or longer
• Psychosis and mood symptoms at the same time 
• Mood symptoms for most of the time that you've felt unwell 
• Symptoms of psychosis that last for at least 2 weeks, without any mood symptoms
• Depressive episodes that include low mood

Schizoaffective disorder is often seen as a psychotic disorder with significant mood features.   Not a mood disorder with psychosis.

My problems were not picked up as a teenager. This resulted in a crisis in my early 20s, involving hospital admissions and being severely mentally unwell. The diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder seemed to fit me better than any other 'label' or diagnosis.

Diagnosing schizoaffective disorder

A psychiatrist will assess your symptoms. They'll ask how long you've had them. 

They should look at:

• How psychosis and mood symptoms happen for you during episodes (together or separately)
• How your symptoms affect your daily life or relationships

They may also check for any physical problems that could be causing your symptoms.

Some recreational drugs can cause similar symptoms. So it might be useful to tell your psychiatrist if you're using any drugs. Or if you've done drugs in the past.

Differences between diagnoses are subtle. Different psychiatrists might give you different diagnoses.

It may feel frustrating if your diagnosis changes. You may feel like you've got used to one diagnosis, and now you need to get used to a new one. Or it could be a relief.  You might feel the new diagnosis is a better fit for you. Or you might feel like you don't need any diagnosis at all.

There’s no right or wrong way to feel about this.

At first I was diagnosed with depression, postpartum psychosis, and then finally schizoaffective disorder. I had to do a lot of research myself to understand what I was going through better, which was difficult.

What can I do if I disagree with my diagnosis? 

If your diagnosis doesn't fit with the way you feel, it's important to discuss this with a professional. This is to make sure you're getting the right treatment to help you.

See our pages on seeking help for a mental health problem for advice. And what you can do if you're not happy with your doctor.