Schizoaffective Disorder Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Schizoaffective Disorder Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment Schizophrenia Print An Overview of Schizoaffective Disorder Understanding the Cross Between Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder and 7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety. Learn about our editorial policy Arlin Cuncic Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on July 02, 2018 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 19, 2020 Verywell / JR Bee More in Disorders Schizophrenia Addiction ADHD Eating Disorders Social Anxiety Disorder Bipolar Disorder BPD Depression OCD GAD Panic Disorder PTSD View All In This Article Table of Contents Expand Symptoms Complications Causes Diagnosis Treatment When to Get Help View All Back To Top Schizoaffective disorder is a chronic mental health disorder that combines symptoms of psychosis (e.g., hallucinations and delusions) with symptoms of mood disorders (e.g., mania and/or depression). Depending on what type of mood symptoms are present, it is diagnosed as either bipolar type or depressive type. The prevalence of schizoaffective disorder in the population is believed to be less than 1 percent, which is less than for schizophrenia  or mood disorders. Research suggests that women are slightly more prone while men tend to develop the disorder at a younger age. It is usually first diagnosed between age 16 and 30 and is rare in children. Individuals with the disorder tend to have periods of improvement followed by periods of worsening of symptoms. Whether you have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder or are worried that someone you know may have this disorder or has been recently diagnosed, it is important to understand the common symptoms, how a diagnosis is made, and how treatment can help to reduce symptoms and improve functioning in daily life. Symptoms Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder tend to be severe and vary for each individual. They can be broadly categorized into those that fall under depressive symptoms, manic symptoms, and schizophrenia symptoms. Those with bipolar type will experience cycling of depressive and manic symptoms, while those with the depressive type will only experience the depressive symptoms Depressive Symptoms Psychological: Sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness, restlessness, lack of energy, loss of interest in usual activities, trouble concentrating, guilt, self-blame, thoughts of death or suicidePhysical: Poor appetite, weight loss or gain, sleeping too much or too little, Mania Psychological: Risky or self-destructive behavior (e.g., spending sprees, reckless driving, risky sexual practices), euphoria, irritable mood, racing thoughts, grandiose, easily distractedPhysical: Increased energy and/or more active than usual (e.g., at work, socially, sexually), talking more or faster than unusual, reduced need for sleep Psychotic Symptoms Psychological: Paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, impaired communication, lacking emotion in facial expressions and speech (negative symptoms), low motivation (avolition)Physical: slow movements or no movement (catatonia), poor personal hygiene While the psychotic symptoms listed above describe how schizoaffective disorder appears  to an outsider, it is also helpful to learn what these symptoms feel  like to a person with the disorder. Disorganized Thinking If you are experiencing disorganized thinking, you may feel like your thoughts are fuzzy or everything feels disconnected. When you speak, you may not be able to remember what you were talking about, so its hard for people to follow what you say. You may also feel like your thoughts are not within your control. Thinking You Are Being Controlled You may think you are being controlled by outside forces like aliens, God, or the devil. You may feel someone is inserting thoughts into your head or that your thoughts are being removed. You might also feel like others can hear your thoughts or access them. Hallucinations You may hear one or more voices that sound real and seem to come from outside you but that nobody else can hear. You might start to talk to them or do things that they tell you to do. In fact, these voices are created by your brain and are not real.   Delusions Delusions are things you believe 100 percent to be true but that are not thought to be real by everyone else. They may begin all of a sudden or form over time. Sometimes they are related to the voices that you hear and seem to explain them in some way. Most often delusions are paranoid, such that you think people are plotting against you or spying on you. You might choose to avoid those people as it can feel very scary. Suicidal Ideation and Prevention Suicidal ideation and behavior can also be a problem for some people with schizoaffective disorder. If someone you know is in danger of attempting suicide or harming another person, stay with that person while you call 911 or your local emergency number. The other alternative is to take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room if you believe that you can do so safely. If you live with schizoaffective disorder and are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Complications There are a number of potential complications of having schizoaffective disorder, including: Social isolationInterpersonal conflictsUnemploymentPovertyHomelessnessHealth problemsTrouble adhering to treatmentImpaired academic and occupational functioningSuicidal thoughts and attempts Causes We dont know precisely what causes schizoaffective disorder. However, it is proposed that it can result  from a combination of risk factors that affect brain development prenatally and throughout childhood and adolescence. This includes: GeneticsBrain chemistry and structureLife stressors (death in family, loss of job, end of marriage)Psychoactive or psychotropic drug use (e.g., LSD)Viral infections including while in the wombBirth defects Related Conditions Persons with schizoaffective disorder may also live with overlapping disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and substance and alcohol abuse. A co-occurring disorder can exacerbate the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder and make a person less likely to follow his or her treatment plan. This is why proper diagnosis and integrated treatment is essential when it comes to managing and coping with a dual diagnosis. Schizoaffective disorder is often confused with other mental illnesses, including schizophrenia. These are two distinct disorders, however, each with  its own diagnostic criteria and treatment. While they do share many symptoms, the main difference is that there is a prominent mood component with schizoaffective disorder. The Difference Between Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder Diagnosis Schizoaffective disorder overlaps with other conditions so it can be difficult to diagnose. Sometimes, it is incorrectly diagnosed as simply bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, which is why it is important for your mental health professional to have a full history of your symptoms prior to making a diagnosis. The first step in diagnosing schizoaffective disorder is conducting a physical exam to rule out any potential causes, including a seizure disorder or drug or medication use. Depending on the suspected diagnosis, you may undergo blood testing and brain imaging. Next, your psychiatrist or psychologist will conduct a clinical interview to determine whether your symptoms meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This includes a period of major mood disorder (depression or mania) and at least two of the following schizophrenia symptoms: DelusionsHallucinationsDisorganizationNegative symptoms In addition, you must have had delusions or hallucinations for two or more weeks in the absence of a mood episode. The mood symptoms must also be present for most of the duration of your illness. Are You Experiencing Negative Psychotic Symptoms? Treatment Treatment for schizoaffective disorder can help you to live a more fulfilling life. Treatment may come in the form of medication, therapy, or hospitalization, depending on your particular symptoms. Medication Medications such as mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium), antipsychotics (e.g., paliperidone), and antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine) may be prescribed for schizoaffective disorder. Taking antipsychotic medication will help you to feel calmer as hallucinations and delusions will be reduced. Its important to continue taking medication even if you feel well, as these medications help to stabilize your symptoms and prevent a recurrence of them. Most often, people with schizoaffective disorder need to take medication for the rest of their lives. Therapy Therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, group therapy, or skills training may be used to treat schizoaffective disorder. During therapy, you may learn about your illness, set goals, determine how to manage daily issues, and develop skills to interact with others, find a job, manage your finances and home, and manage your personal grooming. If your family attends therapy with you, they will learn how best to support you with your symptoms. In this way, therapy can help you to better self-manage your illness. Find Support With the 9 Best Online Therapy Programs Hospitalization In the event of a psychotic episode, suicidal ideation, or threats to others, you may need to be hospitalized. There is, unfortunately, no cure for schizoaffective disorder and long-term treatment and management is required. However, medication and therapy can help to reduce relapse and disruption to your life and the lives of those around you. This is why it is important to keep in contact with your doctor or psychiatrist to ensure that your treatment regimen is optimal. When to Get Help If someone you know is displaying symptoms of schizoaffective disorder, it can be hard to know how to help. While you can try to talk to your friend or relative, you also cant force him or her to seek treatment. Instead, try offering encouragement and practical  advice such as looking up numbers of doctors to call or investigating avenues to receive treatment in the community. In addition, persons with this disorder may be disconnected from reality. In the event that the person is struggling with basic necessities of life such as food and shelter, or there are imminent safety concerns, you can call 911 and ask to have that person evaluated for treatment. A Word From Verywell If you have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, it is important to learn to notice when your symptoms are worsening and that you may be entering another episode. Not being able to sleep or feelings of paranoia may be one signal that this is happening. In the event you notice symptoms increasing, it is important to reach out for help as soon as possible from your doctor or other mental health professional.