Skip to content
Grounded Scribe
  • F25
  • Psychotic Disorders

Schizoaffective Disorders (F25)

DSM-5-TR: Schizoaffective Disorder

ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.

Key Facts

  • ICD-10 RangeF20-F29
  • Subcodes5 subcodes
  • Australian PrevalenceLess common than schizophrenia. Prevalence approximately 0.3% of the population.
  • Global PrevalenceLifetime prevalence approximately 0.3%. Onset typically in early adulthood.
  • Duration RequirementMood symptoms meet criteria for a mood episode; psychotic symptoms meet criteria for schizophrenia — both present within the same episode

Overview

Schizoaffective disorders are episodic disorders in which both affective (mood) and schizophrenic symptoms are prominent within the same episode, ideally simultaneously, but at least within a few days of each other. They do not justify a diagnosis of either schizophrenia or a mood disorder alone.

Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)

Core Features

  • Both affective (mood) and schizophrenic symptoms prominent within the same episode
  • Mood and psychotic symptoms present simultaneously, or at least within days of each other
  • Does not justify a diagnosis of either schizophrenia or mood disorder alone

Duration Mood symptoms meet criteria for a mood episode; psychotic symptoms meet criteria for schizophrenia — both present within the same episode

Exclusion Criteria

  • Schizophrenia with incidental mood symptoms (use F20)
  • Mood disorder with mood-congruent psychotic features (use F30-F33)

ICD-10-AM Subcodes

CodeNameDescription
F25.0Schizoaffective disorder, manic typeProminent manic symptoms alongside schizophrenic features within the same episode.
F25.1Schizoaffective disorder, depressive typeProminent depressive symptoms alongside schizophrenic features within the same episode.
F25.2Schizoaffective disorder, mixed typeBoth manic and depressive symptoms alongside schizophrenic features.
F25.8Other schizoaffective disordersOther specified schizoaffective presentations.
F25.9Schizoaffective disorder, unspecifiedSchizoaffective disorder where the specific type is unspecified.

Classification Boundaries

Includes

  • Schizoaffective psychosis

Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)

  • Schizophrenia (F20)
  • Mood disorders (F30-F39)

Australian Clinical Context

Schizoaffective disorder is managed by Australian psychiatrists, often within public mental health services. Treatment typically involves a combination of antipsychotic and mood stabiliser medications. Community mental health teams and NDIS support services play important roles in long-term management.

Medicare (MBS) Pathways

Better Access to Mental Health Care
The primary Medicare pathway for mental health treatment in Australia. Requires a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral. Available for any clinically diagnosed mental disorder.

10 individual + 10 group sessions per calendar year

Provider TypeMBS ItemsSession Type
Clinical Psychologist80000–80025Psychological therapy (higher rebate)
Registered Psychologist80100–80123Focused psychological strategies
Occupational Therapist80125–80145Focused psychological strategies
Social Worker80150–80175Focused psychological strategies
Psychiatrist291, 296–299, 300–308Psychiatric consultation

GP referral items: 2700, 2701, 2715, 2717

Eligibility: Any clinically diagnosed mental disorder as defined by WHO ICD-10 Chapter V. Requires a GP or psychiatrist referral.

Exclusions:

  • Intellectual disability (use Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder pathway or specialist referral)
  • Dementia and organic mental disorders (use specialist referral pathway)
  • Tobacco use disorder

Psychiatrist-led care is the primary pathway. Allied health under Better Access may support comorbid mood symptoms.

Automate MBS item capture from your sessions
Grounded Scribe suggests the right MBS item codes from your recording so you can claim accurately without re-keying.

Reference information sourced from MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au). Item availability, rebates, and eligibility criteria may change. This is not billing advice — always verify current items before claiming. Last verified: April 2026.

Clinical Documentation Notes

The key diagnostic challenge is distinguishing schizoaffective disorder from schizophrenia with mood symptoms and mood disorders with psychotic features. DSM-5-TR requires that psychotic symptoms persist for at least two weeks in the absence of a major mood episode. Document the temporal relationship between psychotic and mood symptoms carefully.

Related Assessment Tools

Other validated instruments commonly used alongside the Schizoaffective Disorders (F25).

Related Diagnostic Codes

ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Schizoaffective Disorders (F25).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I distinguish schizoaffective disorder from bipolar disorder with psychotic features?

In schizoaffective disorder, psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations) persist even when mood symptoms resolve. In bipolar disorder with psychotic features, psychotic symptoms occur only during mood episodes and resolve when the mood episode resolves.

References

  1. World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
  2. RANZCP. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Schizophrenia and Related Disorders.
  3. American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-TR. 2022.
Clinical Scoring Calculator — Not a Diagnostic Tool

This tool calculates scores based on published guidelines for professional reference. It does not provide clinical diagnoses. Scores are provided as reference information only and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a comprehensive assessment.

Document sessions for patients with schizoaffective disorder

Grounded Scribe automatically generates clinical notes from your sessions, saving hours of documentation time.

Start free trial

Start Documenting in Minutes. Not Hours.

Free plan. No credit card. Cancel anytime.

Start Free Trial See Pricing