Predisposing Factors: PSYCHOPATHOLOGY of Precipitating Factors:

 Genetics
SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER Occasional substance use (amphetamine:
 Age: 33 years old - depressed type 1998-2007)
Stressful events
(common in 16-35 years old) Emotional-marital problem
 Sex: Male (diagram) alcoholism

Psychosocial Theory
(Eric Erickson)
Neurochemical theory

Unsatisfactory early • Suspiciousness

• Dissatisfaction and hostility
mother-infant relationship. Stimulus that alters
• Developmental Task which neurotransmission
is Trust vs. Mistrust at
• Mistrustful to his wife
Infancy Stage was not met leading to marital Decrease level of serotonin
quarrel and abuse
Decrease serotonin
Increase level of GABA distribution in
Wife and children left Mr. serotonin pathway
Greenbelt.
• Intellectualization Ethanol alters the
• Regression passage of other Frontal lobes
• Intimacy vs. Isolation chemicals in and out
developmental task was not of neuronal cells Limbic system
met • Suicidal ideation
• Impaired social,
Temporal lobe
occupational and overall
functioning
• Isolation • Insomnia
• Loss of appetite • Alcoholism
• Emotional distance in all • feelings of guilt
• insomia
relationships • overeating/weight gain
• anxiety
• lack of energy
 Stimulation of the pre-synaptic neuron
Hierarchy of Needs Theory
(Maslow) Action potential travels along the axon to
axon terminal

Physiologic needs not met Triggers the release of dopamine from the
o Food neuron into the synaptic space
o Sleep/rest
Schizoaffective disorder Binds to dopamine receptor on post
synaptic neuron
(depressed type)
• Nutrition
• vitamins • Weight loss
Stimuli
• weakness

blocks the transport of protein that

normally carries dopamine back into
the presynaptic axon terminal

Neurochemical theory
Inhibition of dopamine reuptake

Dopamine builds up in the

synaptic space
• psychosis
• Delusion
• Hallucination
• Bizarre behavior Excess dopamine continue to
• grandiosity bind to receptors
• Avolition Mesolimbic pathway
• Alogia
• Flat affect Stimulation of the post synaptic neuron
Mesocortical Pathway

Increases dopamine distribution in the 4 major

dopamine pathways
Nigrostriatal pathway
• Risperidone
• Chlorpromazine
• Haloperidol
• No symptoms
manifested Tubeoinfundibular pathway
LEGEND:

Risk Coping/defense Pathology starts

Medication/
Theory mechanism
manifestation factors cure