What causes schizoaffective disorder?
While the exact cause of schizoaffective disorder is not known, researchers believe that genetic, biochemical and environmental factors are involved. • Genetics (heredity): A tendency to develop schizoaffective disorder may be passed on from parents to their children. • Brain chemistry: People with schizophrenia and mood disorders may have an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are substances that help nerve cells in the brain send messages to each other. An imbalance in these chemicals can interfere with the transmission of messages, leading to symptoms. • Environmental factors: Evidence suggests that certain environmental factors — such as a viral infection, poor social interactions or highly stressful situations — may trigger schizoaffective disorder in people who have inherited a tendency to develop the disorder.
