Imagine that Joan, a patient who presented with symptoms of bipolar type 1 disorder in the recent past, later returns to your office. Her daily life has settled down and she seems to be generally content, except that she is now convinced that her coworkers are scheming to get her fired and spreading rumors about her personal life. What do you suspect her diagnosis might be, given this additional information?
A)Bipolar type 1
B)Bipolar type 2
C)Schizophrenia
D)Schizoaffective disorder

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Schizoaffective disorder is the only one of these disorders for which it is believed that psychosis or delusions episodes occur without accompanying mood symptoms, in a patient who also has reoccurring abnormal mood episodes. The previously-suspected diagnosis was bipolar type 1; these additional symptoms most closely match those of schizoaffective disorder. The observable symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Imagine That Joan, a Patient Who Presented with Symptoms of Bipolar