What is Bipolar Disorder?

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition that is prominent by a mixture of schizophrenia symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, and mood disorder symptoms, such as mania and depression.

There are two types of schizoaffective disorder, both include some symptoms of schizophrenia:

• Bipolar type: which can include mania symptoms and even major depression.
• Depressive type: encompasses only major depressive episodes.

Schizoaffective disorder can lead to impairment in functioning such as work and school and social situations.  Individuals with schizoaffective disorder may need assistance with daily functioning and assistance in learning how to cope with the mental illness. Therapy and medication treatment can help to deal with symptoms appropriately and create a higher quality of life.

Symptoms

Every individual is different so their symptoms may vary. People that have schizoaffective disorder will have psychotic symptoms, for example delusions or hallucinations, and symptoms that represent a mood disorder, bipolar type- presenting with symptoms of mania and depression or the depressive type, which show symptoms of only depression.

Even though the course of schizoaffective disorder may differ, defining features include a major mood episode (depressed or manic) and at least a two week period of psychotic symptoms when a major mood episode is not present.

• Delusions
• Feelings of sadness, emptiness or worthlessness
• Impaired daily functioning- at school, work and socially
• Incoherence such as communication and speech impairment
• Unusual or bizarre behavior
• Issues with grooming and managing personal care
• Hallucinations, hearing voices or seeing objects or people that are not there
• Delusions-, having false, fixed beliefs, when there is no evidence to back them up
• Having periods of a manic mood, such as increased energy, reduced need for sleep over multiple days and having behaviors that are out of their character

Suicidal thoughts and behavior

Individuals that have this schizoaffective disorder may talk about suicide, while experiencing suicidal ideation. If there is anyone that is suicidal or has made suicidal attempts in the past, please do not leave them alone. Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately. If it is safe, take them to the nearest hospital for assessment. Every person that is suicidal must be taken seriously.

If someone has schizoaffective disorder and cannot provide food, clothing or shelter for themself, please call 911 and get them some help because they can have difficulty with daily functioning and may not be able to take care of their basic needs on their own.

Treatment

Individuals with schizoaffective disorder will respond well to a mixture of medications, psychotherapy and life skills training. All people respond differently to treatment, it depends on the type and the severity of symptoms and whether the disorder is the bipolar or depressive type will make a difference. Some people may need hospitalization. Long-term treatment is necessary to help cope with the symptoms appropriately.

Psychotherapy

Medication is usually needed to treat schizoaffective and psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can help. Psychotherapy may encompass:

• Individual therapy: therapy helps to change thought patterns and to decrease symptoms. Attending counseling and building a strong rapport with the therapist will help people to understand what schizoaffective disorder is and learn how to cope with the symptoms in a healthy manner. The sessions aim to focus on plans, issues, coping methods and real-life stressors and situations.
• Family or group therapy: this type of therapy can help people that struggle with schizoaffective disorder to discuss their issues of everyday life with their loved ones or others that may have the same disorder. Groups can help to decrease isolation, develop stronger social skills, assist with reality checking when psychosis is present and increase healthy medication use. Many people in a group setting begin to share their thoughts with others and also get some input as to how others cope with their schizoaffective disorder as well.