Description

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by a combination of symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression, mania, and of a milder form of mania called hypomania. The hallucinations consist of seeing things or hearing voices that other people cannot see. Delusions involve believing things that are not real or not true.

The two types of schizoaffective disorder — both of which include some symptoms of schizophrenia are:

  • Bipolar type, which includes episodes of hypomania or mania and sometimes major depression.
  • Depressive type, which includes only major depressive episodes.

This disorder can affect people differently.

Schizoaffective disorder changes in how people think, feel and act. When it is not treated, the condition can make it difficult to function at work or in school or in their social environment. It can also cause loneliness. People with this disorder may need help and support to live their daily lives. The treatment can help control the symptoms and the quality of the life better.

Symptoms

Schizoaffective disorder symptoms may vary from person to person. People with the disease have symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions. You can also have symptoms of a mood disorder. This type of schizophrenia may be the type of bipolar disorder, which features episodes of mania and sometimes depression. Or it could be the type of depressive, with episodes of depression.

How to schizoaffective disorder starts and how it affects people, which may vary. But the definition of the features include a major episode of depression or mood manic and at least a two-week period of psychotic symptoms when the mood symptoms are not present.

The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder depend on the type of bipolar or depressive. Symptoms may include:

  • The illusions have false beliefs and fixed, in spite of the facts, showing that they are not the truth.
  • Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that others do not observe.
  • Disorganized thinking and speech.
  • Strange or unusual behavior.
  • The symptoms of depression, such as feeling empty, sad, or worthless.
  • The periods of mood maniac, with more energy and less need for sleep for several days, and behaviors that are out of character.
  • Having a hard time functioning at work or in school or in social situations.
  • Problems of management of personal care, such as that it does not look clean, and not having a care on how it looks.

When to see a doctor

If you think someone you know may have schizoaffective disorder symptoms, talk with that person about your concerns. Although you can't force someone to seek professional help, you can offer encouragement and support and help to find a health professional or mental health professional.

If you are worried about a loved one's safety or ability to obtain food, clothing, or housing, you must communicate with emergency personnel, a mental health hotline or a social service agency to get help from a mental health professional.

Suicidal thoughts or behavior

A person with schizoaffective disorder can talk about or attempt suicide. If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. In contact with a direct line of suicide. In the united states, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or the use of the lifeline Chat. The services are free and confidential. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the united states has a Spanish language of the phone line in 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).

Causes

While it is not known what causes schizoaffective disorder, genes that are transmitted from parents to children that can play a part.

Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk for developing schizoaffective disorder include:

  • Have a close blood relative, such as a father or a brother, who has schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.
  • Stressful events that can cause symptoms.
  • Taking mind-altering drugs, which can worsen the symptoms when the underlying problem is present.

Complications

People with this disorder have a greater risk of:

  • Suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal thoughts.
  • The Social isolation.
  • Conflict with others and within families.
  • The rate of unemployment.
  • The anxiety disorders.
  • Of Alcohol or other substances of misuse.
  • Health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and obesity.
  • Being poor and not having a home.
  • Being assaulted.
  • Aggressive episodes, despite the fact that the people suffering from this disorder are more likely to be assaulted in place of aggression to others.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder involves ruling out other mental health conditions. A healthcare professional should also be concluded that the symptoms are not due to use of substances, medications or a medical condition.

The diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder may include:

  • A physical exam. This may be done to rule out other problems that could be causing symptoms and to check for any related complications.
  • Tests and exams. These may include tests that help rule out conditions with similar symptoms, and projections for the use of alcohol and drugs. In some situations, your health care professional may also request imaging studies, such as mri or a ct scan.
  • A mental health evaluation. A health professional or mental health professional checks the state of mind by observing how a person looks and acts. The health professional or mental health professional is also question about the thoughts, moods, delusions, hallucinations, substance use and the potential for suicide, as well as talks about the family and personal history.

Treatment

People with this disorder generally respond better to the drugs, along with psychotherapy and life skills training. Psychotherapy is also known as psychotherapy. The treatment varies, depending on the type and severity of symptoms and whether the disorder is the depressive or bipolar disorder type. Some people may need a stay in a hospital. The long-term treatment can help control symptoms.

Drugs

In general, health professionals prescribe medication for schizoaffective disorder to relieve psychotic symptoms, stabilize the mood, and the treatment of depression. These medications may include:

  • Antipsychotics. Paliperidone (invega) is the only drug which the Food and Drug Administration has approved specifically to treat schizoaffective disorder. But health professionals often prescribe antipsychotic medications to manage the symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions and hallucinations.
  • Stabilize the mood of the medicine. When the schizoaffective disorder is the type of bipolar disorder, mood stabilizers can help to level the mania of the high and the depression low.
  • Antidepressants. When the depression is the underlying mood disorder, antidepressants can help manage feelings of sadness and hopelessness, or difficulty sleeping and concentrating.

Talk therapy

In addition to medication, talk therapy — also called psychotherapy — can help. Talk therapy may include:

  • Individual therapy. Psychotherapy can help to improve the thinking patterns and to relieve the symptoms. Building a relationship of trust and confidence in the therapy can help people with schizoaffective disorder to better understand their condition and learn to manage the symptoms. Therapy sessions focus on real-life plans and problems, getting along with others, and ways to cope.
  • Family or group therapy. The treatment can be more effective when people with schizoaffective disorder discuss their real-life problems with others. Support group configuration can also decrease the social isolation, provide a reality check when people have psychotic symptoms and make sure people use their medications correctly. These groups also help people with schizoaffective disorder learn to get along better with others.

Life skills training

Social skills training may facilitate the isolation and make quality of life better:

  • Training in social skills. This training focuses on helping people to communicate better, get along well with others and improve their ability to take part in the daily activities. During this training, people can practice new skills and behaviors specific settings, such as home or work.
  • The work of rehabilitation and work. This training focuses on helping people with schizoaffective disorder prepare for, find and keep jobs.

The stay in the Hospital

During periods of crisis or in times of severe symptoms, people with this disorder may need to stay in the hospital to make sure that they are safe and take basic care of themselves.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ect)

For adults with schizoaffective disorder who do not respond to psychotherapy or medications, the health care professional can suggest electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to try to help the symptoms improve. Electroconvulsive therapy (ect) is a procedure that is done with the medicine that puts you to sleep, so-called general anesthesia. While you sleep, small electrical current is passed through the brain, intentionally causing therapeutic seizure that lasts 1 to 2 minutes.

Coping and support

If you have schizoaffective disorder, it is likely to need ongoing treatment and support. It may help if you:

  • Build strong relationships with your treatment team. Building a partnership with your healthcare provider, mental health professional and other members of the team makes them more able to take part in, and benefit from treatment.
  • Learn about the disorder. Learn about schizoaffective disorder can help you follow your treatment plan. Friends and family can also learn more to understand the disorder and to be more compassionate.
  • Pay attention to the warning signs. In search of things that can cause symptoms or get in the way of daily activities. Make a plan for what to do if symptoms return. Please contact your health professional or mental health professional if it is necessary to stop the situation from getting worse.
  • Get more sleep. If you are having sleep problems, lifestyle changes can help.
  • Stay focused on the objectives. The management of schizoaffective disorder is a continuous process. Maintain treatment goals in mind can help you stay motivated, to manage the condition and work toward their goals.
  • Do not use alcohol or drugs. The use of alcohol, nicotine and recreational drugs can make it difficult for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder. These substances can cause schizophrenia symptoms get worse or change how the medicines work. But quitting can be difficult. Get the advice of your health care team about the best way to quit smoking.
  • Learn relaxation and stress management. Stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation, yoga or tai chi can help you and your loved ones.
  • Join a support group. Support groups can help you make connections with others facing similar challenges. Support groups also can help family members and friends of the cope.
  • Ask about the social services assistance. These services may be able to help with affordable housing, transportation, and daily activities.

Preparing for your appointment

If you think you may have schizoaffective disorder, or that your loved one may have, to take measures to prepare for the appointment. If the appointment is for a friend or family member, offer to go along. Obtaining first-hand information will help you to know how you can help your loved one.

What you can do

To prepare for the appointment, make a list of:

  • The symptoms that I have noticed, including those that do not seem to be related to the reason he made the appointment.
  • Key personal information, including any family history of mental health disorders, of any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • All the drugs, vitamins, herbal preparations and other dietary supplements that you take, and the dose.
  • Questions to ask the doctor to help you make the most of your time.

Some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is the cause of the symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • How will you make the diagnosis?
  • Is this condition likely to be short-term or long-term?
  • What treatments are recommended?
  • What are the options to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • What are the side effects of the medicine she is prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have?
  • What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask any other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider will probably ask you several questions, such as:

  • What symptoms have you noticed?
  • When did you start noticing the symptoms?
  • The symptoms have been going on for some time or all the time?
  • Has thought about or attempted suicide?
  • How is the functioning in daily life? You to eat regularly, regular bathing, going to work or to school, and taking part in social activities?
  • Have other members of the family or friends of the common concerns about how you're acting?
  • Have you been diagnosed with any other medical condition?
  • Has someone in your family has been diagnosed or treated for a mental illness?

Be prepared to answer these questions, then you will have time to go through any other points you want to focus on.

Symptoms and treatment of Schizoaffective disorder