Schizoaffective disorder can be quite challenging to recognize because it has symptoms of both schizophrenia and either depression or bipolar disorder. For this reason Schizoaffective Disorder is split into the Depressed type or the Bipolar Type. In Schizoaffective Disorder Depressed type the individual does not have manic symptoms. In Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Type the person has both mania and depression.
- Depressed Type: If a person has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder depressed type they will experience feelings of sadness, emptiness, crying spells, isolation, anhedonia, feelings of worthlessness or other symptoms of depression
- Bipolar Type: If a person has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder bipolar type they will experience feelings of euphoria, racing thoughts, grandiosity, distraction, high energy level, increased risky behavior and other symptoms of mania
- Either type must include hallucinations, delusions or disorganized thinking as a hallmark of the schizophrenia picture