by Dannett Frey

Created on: January 13, 2009

Schizoaffective disorder is defined by the DSM-IV to have the following diagnostic criteria:

A. An uninterrupted period of illness during which at some time there is either a major depressive episode, a manic episode, or a mixed episode concurrent with symptoms that meet Criterion A for schizophrenia

a. Criterion A for Schizophrenia-two or more of the following:

i. Delusions

ii. Hallucinations

iii. Disorganized speech

iv. Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior

v. Negative symptoms

B. During the same period of illness, there have been delusions or hallucinations for at least two weeks in the absence of prominent mood symptoms.

C. Symptoms that meet criteria for mood episodes are present for a substantial portion of the total duration of the active and residual periods of the illness.

D. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition.

Bipolar type: if the disturbance includes a manic or a mixed episode (or a manic or a mixed episode and a major depressive episode).

Depressive type: if the disturbance only includes major depressive episodes.

If diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, there are some skills that may need developed or additional attention. The skills can be introduced and developed by family, community support workers, case managers, or other professionals in the mental health field.

Possibly Skills

Interacting with Others is a skill requiring definition as to what is appropriate with others and what is not appropriate. Begin teaching how to define the relationship and what is appropriate to share. Meeting someone in a casual setting isn't the person that you share the intimate details of your life. Sharing those details should be limited to close family, therapists and other professionals. Casual acquaintances would be best to share generalities.

Greeting and Departure Skills is often difficult for a person diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Are they aware that they should begin a greeting before beginning a conversation without greeting? Role play is an excellent avenue for teaching this skill. What are the skills necessary to learn when and how to depart? Are they aware of the social cues that often occur when one or more people are together that indicate a need to leave.

Participating in Activities is often difficult if they are lacking in the greeting and departure skills. The lack in greeting and departure skills makes it difficult if not impossible for the person with schizoaffective

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