Differences Between Schizoaffective Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

A review of the main differences between bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder.

Bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder are two illnesses that can become truly disabling if not treated properly.

Both disorders share symptoms of depression and mania, and diagnosis is sometimes complicated by difficulties in distinguishing one from the other. However, there are important features that differentiate them and can be used to identify them correctly.

In this article we discuss the main differences between schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorderBut first we explain you what these two mental disorders consist of.

What is schizoaffective disorder?

Schizoaffective disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized primarily by symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, and symptoms of a mood disorder, such as mania and depression. Many people with this disorder are often incorrectly diagnosed at first with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Because schizoaffective disorder is less studied than the other two conditions, many interventions are borrowed from their treatment approaches. Schizoaffective disorder is relatively rare, with a lifetime prevalence of only 0.3%.. Males and females experience schizoaffective disorder at the same rate, but males often develop the illness at a younger age.

The specific causes are unknown, but it has been suggested that there may be a combination of genetic and hereditary factors, stress, and structural and functional aspects at the brain level. There are two distinct types of this disorderThe bolar type, which includes manic episodes and, sometimes, episodes of severe depression; and the depressive type, which only includes depressive symptomatology.

The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder shared with schizophrenia include: hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, depressed mood or manic behavior (depending on the type of disorder). It also shares symptoms of depression, such as Weight loss or gain, lack of energy, feelings of guilt, sleep disorders and suicidal thoughts; and symptoms of mania, such as agitation, inflated self-esteem, logorrhea, or increased social, sexual or work activities.

Bipolar disorder: definition, types and symptoms

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes changes in the brain.is a brain disorder that causes unusual changes in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to perform everyday tasks. There are four basic types of bipolar disorder and all of them involve distinct changes in mood.

These moods vary from periods of extremely euphoric, energetic behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.

Hypomania is a mild form of mania, and its symptoms are less intense.s. There are usually no psychotic symptoms, nor are there behavioral changes that require hospitalization. The person perceives the hypomanic state as a feeling of intense well-being, with expanded self-esteem and increased creative capacity.

In hypomanic states it is not uncommon for the consumption of alcohol and other psychoactive substances to increase. In addition, people in hypomanic states often initiate relationships and projects that they later regret when the hypomanic episode ends.

Bipolar disorder can be classified into different types. Let's see which ones:

Bipolar disorder type I.

This type is defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Depressive episodes also usually occur, depressive episodes also occur, usually lasting at least 2 weeks.. Depressive episodes with mixed features (having depression and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible.

Bipolar disorder type II

This type of bipolar disorder is characterized by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full manic episodes described in type I bipolar disorder.

Cyclothymic disorder

Also referred to as cyclothymia, this type of bipolar disorder is defined by. numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods of depressive symptoms lasting at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents). (1 year in children and adolescents). However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.

Other unspecified bipolar disorders

This category would include all those who have symptoms of bipolar disorder but do not fit into the three categories above.

Differences between schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder

It is often difficult to distinguish between a schizoaffective disorder and a bipolar disorder, since both illnesses share symptomatology (euphoria and depression).. However, one of the main differences between the two disorders is the presence of severe psychotic symptoms, which only occur in schizoaffective disorder.

Schizoaffective disorder would be halfway between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder type I, since its course is similar to that of the latter, although psychotic episodes may be experienced without necessarily having episodes of mania and depression. When making a diagnosis, it is usually more complicated to detect the presence of schizoaffective disorder; however, the treatment used is similar to that used for bipolar disorder, i.e., maintenance antipsychotic medication.

According to psychiatric manuals and nosological classifications, bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that includes depression, depression and bipolar disorder. a mood disorder that includes severe depression and oscillates from one extreme to the other (from mania to depression). (from mania to depression) in a highly variable manner. Schizoaffective disorder is defined at the psychiatric level as a psychosis with affective symptoms (manic or depressive) that are less acute and more treatable than those of schizophrenia, with which it shares some features.

As far as the pharmacological therapeutic approach is concerned, research into the treatment of bipolar disorder has advanced modestly in recent years; and as far as schizoaffective disorder is concerned, there has been considerable progress compared to other illnesses such as schizophrenia.

The bottom line, schizoaffective disorder involves symptomatology similar to that occurring in schizophrenia, with the addition of various affective symptoms.with the addition of several affective symptoms, either depressive or euphoric, or the sum of both types; that is, as the union between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Bibliographical references:

• Benabarre, A., Vieta, E., Colom, F., Martinez-Aran, A., Reinares, M., & Gasto, C. (2001). Bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia: epidemiologic, clinical and prognostic differences. European Psychiatry, 16(3), 167-172.
• Cosoff, S. J., & Hafner, R. J. (1998). The prevalence of comorbid anxiety in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 32(1), 67-72.
• Szoke, A., Meary, A., Trandafir, A., Bellivier, F., Roy, I., Schurhoff, F., & Leboyer, M. (2008). Executive deficits in psychotic and bipolar disorders–implications for our understanding of schizoaffective disorder. European Psychiatry, 23(1), 20-25.