What is schizoaffective disorder?

Types of Schizoaffective disorder:

• Bipolar type– episodes of mania and sometimes major depression
• Depressive type– only major depressive episodes

Symptoms:

• can vary from person to person
• impaired communication (i.e. only partially answering questions)
• impaired occupational, academic and social functioning
• problems managing personal care, including cleanliness and physical appearance
• psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and/or delusions)
  • delusions- having false, fixed beliefs, despite evidence otherwise
  • hallucinations- hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t there
• mood disorder symptoms (mania and/or depression)
  • depression- feeling empty, sad, or worthless
  • mania- sudden increase in energy with behavior that is out of character
• usually features cycles of severe symptoms followed by periods of improvement with less severe symptoms

Causes:

• The cause is not known. A combination of factors may be to blame, such as genetics and variations in brain chemistry and structure.

Risk Factors:

• Having a close blood relative with schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder
• stressful events that trigger symptoms
• taking mind-altering (psychoactive or psychotropic) drugs

Issues/Complications:

• Untreated, this disorder can lead to problems functioning at work, school and in social situations (i.e. holding a job).
• May require assistance with daily functioning
• Treatment can manage symptoms and improve quality of life
• Increased risk of:
  • suicide, suicide attempts, or suicidal thoughts
  • social isolation
  • family/interpersonal conflicts
  • unemployment
  • anxiety disorders
  • alcohol/substance abuse problems
  • significant health problems
  • poverty and homelessness

• The diagnosis involves ruling out other mental health disorders and symptoms due to substance abuse, medication or another medical condition.
• May include:
  • physical exam
  • tests and screenings (i.e. screening for alcohol and drugs)
  • psychiatric evaluation

Treatment

• Combination of medications, psychotherapy and life skills training
  • Medications:
    • Antipsychotics: to help manage psychotic symptoms
    • Mood-stabilizing meds: to help with bipolar type (level out manic highs and depressive lows)
    • Antidepressants- help with depressive type (feelings of sadness/hopelessness, difficulty with sleep, and concentration)
  • Psychotherapy:
    • Individual therapy: may help normalize thought patterns and reduce symptoms; can help to better understand condition and manage symptoms; focuses on plans, problems and relationships
    • Family/group therapy: discussing problems with others; decreases social isolation and provides reality check during psychosis
  • Life Skills Training:
    • Social skills training: improves communication and social interactions, the ability to participate in daily activities. Includes the practice of new skills and behaviors specific to settings i.e. home, workplace.
    • Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment: focuses on helpiung people prepare for and find/keep jobs.
• varies depending on type and severity of symptoms
• hospitalization may be required (to ensure safety, proper nutrition, adequete sleep, and basic personal care/cleanliness)
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT):
  • for adults with the disorder who do not respond to psychotherapy or medications, ECT may be considered