The signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder vary greatly from person to person.

Often times, persons with schizoaffective disorder seek treatment for problems with mood, daily function, or intrusive thoughts. Psychosis and mood changes may occur at one time, or off and on by themselves. Psychotic symptoms can persist for at least 2 weeks without significant mood symptoms. The course of the disorder feature cycles of severe symptoms followed by improvement. 

The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder include:

• Elevated, inflated, or depressed mood
• Irritability and poor temper control
• Symptoms that could be seen during a manic or depressed state (changes in appetite, energy, sleep)
• Hallucinations (particularly auditory hallucinations, "hearing voices")
• Delusions of reference (for example, believing that someone on TV or the radio is speaking directly to you or that secret messages are hidden in common objects)
• Paranoia (a feeling that everyone or a particular person or agency is out to get you)
• Deteriorating concern with hygiene, grooming
• Disorganized and illogical speech

The health care provider will perform a psychiatric evaluation to identify symptoms and ask questions about the patient's current behavior and symptoms.

To be diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a person must experience psychotic symptoms - but normal mood - for at least 2 weeks.

The combination of psychotic and mood symptoms in schizoaffective disorder can be seen in other illnesses such as bipolar disorder. The extreme disturbance in mood is an important part of the schizoaffective disorder

Any medical, psychiatric, or drug-related condition that causes psychotic or mood symptoms must be considered and ruled out before a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is made. Persons who take steroid medications, have seizure disorders, or who abuse cocaine, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP) can have concurrent schizophrenic and mood disorder symptoms.

Moore DP, Jefferson JW. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:126-127.

Goetz, CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2003: 48.