A survey of psychiatrists’ attitudes to schizoaffective disorder

Abstract

Objective. Schizoaffective disorder is an established diagnosis in both ICD-10 and DSM-IV, but research evidence relating to its nosological status and aetiology is conflicting. This study aimed to examine the attitudes of practising consultant psychiatrists, and to see whether there is a consensus about its classification and value in everyday clinical psychiatry. Method. A questionnaire was mailed to 2000 consultant psychiatrists drawn randomly from the membership list of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the United Kingdom. Respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement with a series of statements about schizoaffective disorder and give some basic demographic data. Results. Of over 800 respondents, almost all reported using the diagnosis in clinical practice, but a small minority reported that they never use the diagnosis. Most psychiatrists considered the diagnosis to be clinically useful but there was little agreement about its nature, its relationship to other mental illnesses, its aetiology, or its characteristic clinical features. Conclusions. Schizoaffective disorder is an established diagnosis in psychiatric practice and is valued by clinicians but there is little consensus of opinion or practice in relation to it. Psychiatrists should be careful to use the diagnosis in accordance with current classificatory schemes, and further research should continue to investigate both its conceptual validity and its use in clinical practice.

Mood disorders and violence: a new focus

“…Categorical diagnoses increase the vulnerability of clinical psychiatry to these complications, and this chimes with the current nosological debate about the relationship between schizophrenia, schizo affective disorder and mood disorders, which has been revived from a genetic base (Craddock 2005) and which is perhaps supported by the limited research into clinical practice (Rowe 2008). Psychiatrists should be aware of these potential theoretical and clinical problems, not just in relation to homicide-suicide and infanticide, but also in relation to less catastrophic violence and broader antisocial behaviour.…”

Anxiety Disorder Comorbidity in Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder

“…However, in a survey of 2,000 clinicians, Rowe and Clark [43] found that 77.8% agreed that SZA was a ‘useful diagnosis'. Genetic differences have also been noted between SZA and SZ [44].…”

Patient-Centered Care in Affective, Non-Affective, and Schizoaffective Groups: Patients’ Opinions and Attitudes

“…These findings may suggest that the schizoaffective group requires a different level of service compared to both the affective and non-affective patients. This may provide some preliminary support for the use for the schizoaffective diagnosis, in spite of the current controversy (Rowe and Clark 2008). This lack of assurance and responsiveness may indicate that clinicians do not fully understand how to reassure and act empathetic towards patients who exhibit symptoms that have an uncertain relationship to both schizophrenia and mood disorders (Rowe and Clark 2008).…”