Schizoaffective disorder is a condition in which patients exhibit signs of both schizophrenia (including hallucinations and delusions) and mood disorders (such as depression or mania).

Patients usually develop schizoaffective disorder in late adolescence or early adulthood.  It is more common among women, but men tend to develop schizoaffective disorder at an earlier age than women. 

There are two different types of schizoaffective disorder. The bipolar type occurs when patients exhibit symptoms of bipolar disorder and the depressive type occurs when patients display symptoms of depression.

Scientists do not know what causes schizoaffective disorder. However, like schizophrenia, genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in its development. An imbalance of brain chemicals may also be a factor in the development of the disorder.

Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder include those of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. Some common symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations and delusions. Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of excitability (mania) alone or both these and episodes of depression. Common symptoms of depression include sadness, fatigue and persistent thoughts of suicide.

Schizoaffective disorder is diagnosed by mental health professionals using a specific set of criteria. In general, patients must exhibit symptoms of schizophrenia along with symptoms of a depressive, manic, or mixed episode. Patients must also have psychotic symptoms without experiencing mood disorder symptoms for at least two weeks to be diagnosed with the condition.

Schizoaffective disorder cannot be prevented. It is treated with medications, such as antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, antidepressants and anticonvulsants. Most patients also benefit from therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It is important for patients to receive support from friends and family members because patients often resist treatment or fail to take medication on a regular basis.