My Dr referred me to an Early Intervention Team (for psychosis). I don't have a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (mostly because they hate to label unless you're admitted to a hospital), but they told me I need their services because I have most of the symptoms for schizophrenia. I also have depression, but it comes in cycles. I don't know which day will be good or bad. Sometimes for no reason, I get this burst of feeling really happy and unstoppable, and I will take on too much at once, like I'm excited for something. I'll be really accepting of everyone and be really over generous. But then I crash and become really withdrawn and depressed again. Most of the time I am depressed, these happy "moments" don't last for a long time. I can go months of being depressed and out of nowhere I will be happy for a few hours/days and then crash again. I'm not asking for an online diagnosis but could this be something like schizoaffective? I know being a teen doesn't help but this has happened since I was a young kid (although the depression has got worse).
~ WTTJ

Well thanks for everyone's help. Not. :/

Schizoaffective is like a melding of Bipolar with Schizophrenic features outside of mood episodes, if that says anything for you. But you'd need to address it to your Intervention Team because some people are diagnosed with Schizoaffective, while others are diagnosed with BOTH Schizophrenia & Bipolar. It varies from person to person.

[Tsunamisurfer]

Originally Posted by WelcomeToTheJungle

Is depression a part of Schizoaffective?

Yup. And as Shayatanica points out, so are wide mood swings in the bipolar type. It comes with the territory, unfortunately.

[Tsunamisurfer]

There is a fuzzy area of overlap between the negative features of psychosis and depression. This includes things like mental fogginess, loss of motivation, loss of interest in life, loss of initiative, and social withdrawal.

People often experience depression with psychosis, and the overlap often follows an acute psychotic episode once hallucinations and delusions have been subdued.

There are both physical and psychological repercussions following an acute psychotic episode. Depression at that stage can include a sense of hopelessness and loss of previously held ideals. Mental slowness and confusion, and difficulty relating to other people can make recovery significantly challenging.

It is also difficult to separate the effects of the episode from the side effects of drugs used to treat it. e.g. Neuroleptic drugs are known for their energy and emotion blunting effects, and antidepressants are known for their impact on sexual interest and ability.

[haifisch15]

I am in a similar position to yourself .. I have been referred to the EIT for similar reasons, what you describe is potential Bipolarity, which i too do suffer from, if you are asking regarding does depression come with schizophrenia. The fact is it is different for each individual, though if you have such mood swings as well as potential schizoaffective, it may well be part of it for you. It is unfortunate, though I am in a similar position so I can understand.
Keep safe