Schizoaffective disorder and life events

Abstract

Introduction

The schizoaffective disorder is multifactorial. Several factors almost unquestioned, even indisputable, participate in the episodes’ decompensation and affect various fields: biological, pharmacological or neurobiochemical.

Objectives

Draw up the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients treated for schizoaffective disorder and determine the role of life events in the onset of the disorder.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 52 patients hospitalized in the psychiatric department of Mahdia diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-IV-TR during the period from January 2014 until June 2014. The information was collected using a preset sheet with 35 items.

Results

A total of 52 records was gathered. The average age was 38 years. The sample was predominantly male, of rural origin in 61.5% of cases. The level of education was low in 59.6% of cases. More than half were without profession and single in 46.2% of cases. The mean age at onset of the disorder was 25.2 years. The presence of life events preceding the onset of the disorder was noted in 22 patients, that to say, 42.3% of the sample. Family and emotional events were most frequently encountered with respective rates of 48.2 and 24.7%, followed by the professional events (20%) and social ones (6%).

Conclusion

Life events are due to chance but also to the environment. The complexity of the “event” concept was again underlined in a new perspective, breaking social rhythms.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.