A nurse is speaking to a group of nurses about the difference between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia. Which of the following findings is associated with the active phase of schizoaffective disorder?

Choice A rationale The absence of delusions or hallucinations is characteristic of a period of remission or residual phase in psychotic disorders, not the active phase of schizoaffective disorder. During an active phase, both psychotic symptoms and mood symptoms are prominent and co-occur. Choice B rationale While negative symptoms can be present in both schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, they are typically more severe and enduring in schizophrenia. The active phase of schizoaffective disorder is defined by the co-occurrence of prominent mood symptoms alongside psychotic features. Choice C rationale The defining characteristic of the active phase of schizoaffective disorder is the simultaneous presence of symptoms meeting criteria for a major mood episode (major depression or mania) and symptoms of schizophrenia (e.g., delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech), with the psychotic symptoms also present for at least two weeks in the absence of prominent mood symptoms. Choice D rationale Anosognosia, a lack of insight into one's illness, can occur in both schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. However, there is no scientific basis to suggest that anosognosia is inherently more severe during the active phase of schizoaffective disorder compared to schizophrenia. Its severity varies individually.