Diagnosis By Exclusion: “Schizoaffective

Disorder”

By: Liz Wolf

Schizoaffective Disorder Criteria:

A.) Uninterrupted period of illness during which there is a major mood episode concurrent with criterion A of schizophrenia

B.) Delusions or hallucinations for 2 weeks or more in absence of a major mood episode, during the lifetime duration of the illness

C.) Symptoms that meet criteria for a major mood episode are present for the majority of the total duration of the active and residual portions of the illness

D.) The disturbance is not attributable to the effects of a substance or another medical condition 295.70- (F25.0) Bipolar type 295.70- (F25.1) Depressive

type

Schizophrenia & schizoaffective disorder - Mental Heath Videos with Kati Morton:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6gqILp8NaQ (copy and paste link to watch youtube video about schizoaffective disorder)

Without definitive empirical evidence how do physicians know how to treat patients with schizoaffective disorder?

What medications have been found effective for SAD?

There are very few medications approved for use specifically in schizoaffective disorderOlanzapine might be somewhat superior to other atypical antipsychotics; Mood stabilizers can be added to antipsychotic medication for manic or mixed symptoms associated with the illness, and antidepressants can be added to antipsychotic medication for depression symptoms associated with the illness. Antidepressants should be prescribed conservatively, mostly during the course of a depressive episode, in order to avoid a precipitation of a manic or mixed episode. Lithium, carbamazepine, divalproex sodium, or lamotrigine can be used to control mood swings.

Along with prescription medications therapy is an essential component.