Schizoaffective disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis describing a situation where both the symptoms of mood disorder and psychosis are present. It usually begins in early adulthood; however, it can be diagnosed in adolescents. There are two sub-types of schizoaffective disorder: the bipolar type and the depressive type. To diagnose schizoaffective disorder one must meet two or more of the symptoms in the DSM-IV diagnostic manual for physicians, they include: 1. delusions 2. hallucinations 3. disorganized speech 4. grossly disorganized behavior 5. negative symptoms (flat affect, alogia or avolition). Along with a extensive history opinion from a trained psychiatrist. There is most likely a genetic component to schizoaffective disorder. Treatment is with therapy and medicine

Additional Resources:

NAMI Schizoaffective Disorder Description

Schizophrenia.com