Personality changes in patients with schizoaffective disorder (a review)

Abstract

The aim of the work is to study the world experience and views on the clinic and systematics of non-psychotic manifestations in schizoaffective disorder (SAD) by analyzing modern scientific literary sources. The relevance of study on SAD is determined by the significant prevalence in the population (0.2–0.6 %) and negative socio-economic consequences of the disease. Significant problems in SAD are family and work maladjustment, suicidality and states of psychoactive substance use comorbidity. The nosological independence of the disease was put into question and it was reflected in diagnostic approaches and classifications. In the clinical practice, SAD is considered independently and as a variant of schizophrenia or affective disorders. Diagnostics and prognostic criteria regarding personality changes in SAD are still at the stage of determining. Conclusions. Understanding of definitions “prognosis”, “outcome”, and “maladjustment” in SAD is not unified. Signs of SAD in remission and intermission is the most recent aspect of the SAD clinic, which dictates the need to assess personality changes and the level of social adaptation and functioning.

Keywords

• mental disorders
• schizoaffective disorder
• clinic
• non-psychotic disorders
• maladjustment
• personality
• mental health