Unmedicated, the disorder causes mood episodes, depressive and/or manic. Cause irrational and delusional thoughts to occur and beliefs to form. Suicidal thoughts may come with the manic depression. The disorder is a mix between bipolar disorder and mild schizophrenia.

Medicated, the disorder doesn't cause much. Sometimes for some people, the most they'll get is intrusive thoughts. Most schizoaffectives react well on medication compared to some schizophrenics.