Schizoaffective disorder describes a disorder that includes aspects of schizophrenia and a condition of mood (major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder).
Scientists are not entirely sure if it is a condition related to the disorders mentioned above. However, it is generally seen and treated as a hybrid or a combination of both states. It can be treated, but most people diagnosed with this condition have relapses.
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What is schizoaffective disorder?
It is a chronic mental disorder characterized primarily by symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, and symptoms of a mood disorder, such as mania and depression.
Many people are often initially misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia because they share multiple mental health conditions symptoms.
In about 0.3% of the population, men and women experience the schizoaffective disorder at the same rate, but men develop the disease at a younger age. It can be treated effectively with medication and therapy; co-occurring substance use disorders are a severe risk and require integrated treatment.
Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder
Symptoms can vary significantly from person to person and can be mild or severe. They may include:
Depressive symptoms
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss or gain.
- Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too little or too much).
- Agitation (being very restless).
- Lack of energy.
- Loss of interest in usual activities.
- Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
- Fault.
- Problems with thinking or concentration.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
- I am constantly feeling sad and tired.
- Complain of various physical symptoms.
manic symptoms
- Being more active than usual, even at work, in your social life, or sexually.
- Speak faster.
- Fast or racing thoughts.
- Little need for sleep.
- They are easily distracted.
- Self-destructive or dangerous behavior (such as shopping, reckless driving, or risky sex).
- I was suffering from insomnia.
- Paranoia and rage.
Schizophrenia symptoms
- Delusions (strange beliefs that the person refuses to give up, even when they know the facts).
- Hallucinations (detecting things that are not real, such as hearing voices).
- Disorganized thinking
- Strange or unusual behavior.
- Slow movements or not moving at all.
- Lack of emotion in facial expression and speech.
- Little motivation.
- Problems with speech and communication.
- Inappropriate emotional reactions.
Causes of schizoaffective disorder
The exact cause is unknown; a combination of reasons can contribute to the development of the schizoaffective disorder.
- Genetics. It tends to be hereditary; this does not mean that if a relative has a disease, they will get it absolutely, but it does mean that there is a greater possibility that you will develop it.
- Chemistry and structure of the brain. The function and design of the brain may be different in ways that science is just beginning to understand; brain scans are helping advance research in this area.
- Stress. Stressful events such as a death in the family, the end of a marriage, or the loss of a job can trigger symptoms or the onset of illness.
- Consumption of drugs. Psychoactive drugs like LSD have been linked to the development of the schizoaffective disorder.
The schizoaffective disorder usually begins in the late teens or early adulthood, between the ages of 16 and 30, appears to occur more often in women than in men and is very rare in children.
Because people with schizoaffective disorder have a combination of symptoms that reflect two separate mental illnesses and are sometimes misdiagnosed as schizophrenic and sometimes misdiagnosed as a mood disorder. As a result, it is difficult to determine precisely how many people have schizoaffective disease; it is probably less common than schizophrenia or mood disorders alone.
Complications
Schizoaffective disorder is associated with social and work dysfunction and can lead to complications such as:
- Social isolation.
- Unemployment.
- Anxiety.
- Substance abuse.
- Family discord.
- Health problems.
- Suicide.
Diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder
There are no laboratory tests to diagnose it, so doctors rely on a person’s medical history and can use various tests, such as brain imaging (such as MRI scans) and blood tests, to make sure that a physical illness is not the cause. Cause of symptoms.
If the doctor does not find a physical cause, they can refer the person to a psychiatrist or psychologist; these mental health professionals are trained to diagnose and treat these diseases. They use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a person for a psychotic disorder.
To diagnose someone with schizoaffective disorder, the person must have periods of uninterrupted illness and, at some point, an episode of mania, major depression, or a combination of both while presenting symptoms of schizophrenia. The person must also have had at least two weeks of psychotic symptoms without the mood symptoms (depression or bipolar).
How is it treated?
Treatment for schizoaffective disorder includes:
Medicines
Some of the medications a person needs depend on whether they have depression or bipolar disorder, along with schizophrenia. The main drugs that doctors prescribe for psychotic symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thoughts are antipsychotics.
All antipsychotic medications are likely to have value in treating schizoaffective disorder, but paliperidone extended release is the only drug approved by the FDA to treat schizoaffective disease.
Also, mood stabilizers (for the bipolar type) and antidepressants (for the depressed type).
Psychotherapy
This type of counseling aims to help the person learn about their illness, set goals, and manage day-to-day problems related to the disorder. The cognitive-behavioral therapy and family therapy can help families be more effective in interacting with and supporting a loved one who has schizoaffective disorder.
- Skills training: Generally, focuses on work and social skills, grooming and personal care, and other everyday activities, including money and housekeeping.
- Hospitalization: Psychotic episodes may require a person to be hospitalized, especially if they are suicidal or threaten to hurt others. Read more information about: Psychotherapy.
Life skills training
The learning of social and vocational skills can help reduce isolation and improve the quality of life of people with schizoaffective disorder. Social skills training helps improve communication and improve interactions with others, both at home and in the work environment. Vocational training helps people prepare for, find, and keep a job.
There is no cure for schizoaffective disorder, so long-term treatment is required. With proper treatment, people can work, improve their relationships, and avoid relapses.
Can you prevent schizoaffective disorder?
No, but if someone is diagnosed and begins treatment as soon as possible, it can help a person avoid or reduce frequent relapses and hospitalizations and help decrease the disruption to their life, family, and friends.
Hello, how are you? My name is Georgia Tarrant, and I am a clinical psychologist. In everyday life, professional obligations seem to predominate over our personal life. It's as if work takes up more and more of the time we'd love to devote to our love life, our family, or even a moment of leisure.