Schizophrenic bipolar manic depression, otherwise known as schizoaffective disorder, refers to a condition in which people display symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia simultaneously and in equal levels of severity.

Identification

A person suffering from schizophrenic bipolar manic depression may experience symptoms such as feeling overly happy or overly sad, fatigued or inability to sleep, poor appetite, hard time paying attention, inflated ego, hallucinations, delusions and confused thoughts.

Causes

There is currently no known cause for schizoaffective disorder although "abnormalities of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine" may all play a role, according to Dr. Guy E. Brannon, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.

Effects

Depending on the severity of schizophrenic bipolar manic depression, people who suffer from it may have a hard time carrying out daily routines, especially during periods of depression. They may feel overwhelmingly sad, which can diminish their ability to perform at work and at home.

Considerations

Schizophrenic bipolar manic depression is more common in women than in men, according to Dr. Brannon, though women tend to develop the disorder later than men. Men display more aggressive or antisocial behaviors than women with schizophrenic bipolar manic depression.

Treatment

A combination of drug treatments and therapy can be effective treatments for schizoaffective disorder, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Mood stabilizers, antidepressants, antipsychotics and therapy for depression, anger and thought process are the most common forms of treatment.

Source

eMedicine

National Alliance On Mental Illness