Schizophrenia Q 53
A client diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder is suffering from schizophrenia with elements of which of the following disorders?
A. Personality disorder
B. Mood disorder
C. Thought disorder
D. Amnestic disorder
Correct Answer: B. Mood disorder
According to the DSM-IV, schizoaffective disorder refers to clients suffering from schizophrenia with elements of a mood disorder, either mania or depression. The prognosis is generally better than for the other types of schizophrenia, but it’s worse than the prognosis for a mood disorder alone. The term schizoaffective disorder first appeared as a subtype of schizophrenia in the first edition of the DSM. It eventually became its own diagnosis despite lack of evidence for unique differences in etiology or pathophysiology. Therefore, there have been no conclusive studies on the etiology of the disorder. However, investigating the potential causes of mood disorders and schizophrenia as individual disorders allows for further discussion.
Option A: This is incorrect because personality disorders and psychotic illness aren’t listed together on the same axis. Some studies show that as high as 50% of people with schizophrenia also have comorbid depression. The pathogenesis of both mood disorders and schizophrenia is multifactorial and covers a range of risk factors including genetics, social factors, trauma, and stress. Among people with schizophrenia, there is a possible increased risk for first-degree relatives for schizoaffective disorder and vice-versa; there may be increased risk among individuals for schizoaffective disorder who have a first-degree relative with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder.
Option C: This is incorrect because schizophrenia is a major thought disorder and the question asks for elements of another disorder. The exact pathophysiology of schizoaffective disorder is currently unknown. Some studies have shown that abnormalities in dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin may play a role. Also, white matter abnormalities in multiple areas of the brain, particularly the right lentiform nucleus, left temporal gyrus and right precuneus are associated with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
Option D: Clients with schizoaffective disorder aren’t suffering from schizophrenia and an amnestic disorder. The diagnostic criteria for the schizoaffective disorder have been reworded and addended since its inclusion in the DSM, which made it difficult to subsequently conduct appropriate epidemiological studies. Thus, there have been no large-scale studies on the epidemiology, incidence, or prevalence of schizoaffective disorder. Research shows that 30% of cases occur between the ages of 25 and 35, and it occurs more frequently in women.