Recognizing schizoaffective disorder poses challenges due to its amalgamation of symptoms from schizophrenia and either depression or bipolar disorder. Consequently, Schizoaffective Disorder is categorized into two types: the Depressed type and the Bipolar Type. In the Depressed type, manic symptoms are absent, whereas in the Bipolar type, both manic and depressive symptoms are present.
- Depressed Type: Individuals diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, depressed type, typically experience symptoms such as persistent sadness, feelings of emptiness, episodes of crying, social withdrawal, anhedonia, feelings of worthlessness, and other manifestations commonly associated with depression.
- Bipolar Type: Individuals diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, commonly experience symptoms such as euphoria, racing thoughts, grandiosity, distractibility, heightened energy levels, increased engagement in risky behaviors, and other manifestations typical of manic episodes.
- Either type must include hallucinations, delusions or disorganized thinking as a hallmark of the schizophrenia picture