Answer :

Final answer:

Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms and mood disorder symptoms, with a prevalence of about 0.3%. Diagnosis requires psychotic symptoms lasting at least two weeks without mood symptoms, with mood symptoms present for over half the duration of the illness.

Explanation:

A diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder entails identifying a condition where an individual experiences a combination of schizophrenia symptoms and mood disorder symptoms. Specifically, a person with schizoaffective disorder exhibits both psychotic symptoms necessary for a schizophrenia diagnosis, along with either a major depressive or manic episode. To meet the diagnostic criteria, the individual must have had delusions or hallucinations for at least two weeks in the absence of mood disorder symptoms, and the symptoms for the depressive or manic episodes must be prevalent for the majority of the illness's duration.

The lifetime prevalence of schizoaffective disorder is around 0.3% according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA, 2013). This mental health condition can significantly impair a person's ability to function in various life domains, necessitating comprehensive treatment strategies that often include medication, psychotherapy, and support for daily living activities.

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