What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?

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Schizoaffective disorder is a persistent mental health condition that can make it difficult for those affected to live normal lives. It is a very rare disorder, but accurately calculating prevalence is also hampered by how closely related it is to other mental health conditions. It is very common for people with it to be misdiagnosed with depression.

Scientists have been unable to trace the origin of schizoaffective disorder, but they believe it is a combination of a mood disorder and schizophrenia. It is also one of the few mental health conditions that equally affect men and women.

1. What Are the Types of Schizoaffective Disorder?

WebMD recognizes bipolar and depressive as the two types of schizoaffective disorder. Note that both disorders include symptoms of schizophrenia. The specific mood disorder may affect the symptoms someone struggles with.

People who have bipolar type tend to experience episodes of highs and lows, known as mania and major depression, respectively. People with depressive type only have major depressive episodes.