Delusions, hallucinations, depression, interspersed with frequent bursts of manic episodes… What do we call it - Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder or Schizoaffective disorder? Or maybe all three?
Emotion and behavior patterns, being more fluid, aren’t easy to classify like physical ailments.
In clear words, as per Mental Health America,
“Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by persistent symptoms of psychosis resembling schizophrenia, with additional periodic symptoms of mood (or affective) disorders.”
Let’s understand it better…
Schizoaffective disorder is often confused with bipolar disorder with psychotic features. A person with Schizoaffective disorder primarily experiences symptoms of psychosis even in the absence of mood issues. However, when mood problems flare up, the symptoms of psychosis can worsen. So the point to note here is that someone who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features often only experiences psychosis during a mood swing, in contrast to the one who has a schizoaffective condition.
Schizoaffective disorder, having certain symptoms of schizophrenia, can be either
- Bipolar type, which includes episodes of mania and sometimes major depression, or
- Depressive type, which includes only major depressive episodes
A cumulative effect of variations occurring in several factors such as genetics, chemical imbalances or structural abnormalities in the brain, may contribute to the development of the condition. Environmental factors, exposure to viruses or toxins while in the womb, and birth defects may also be the contributing factors.
In order to rule out the possibility of getting confused with other mental disorders or considering the symptoms to be an outcome of substance use or medication, there is a need to diagnose the schizoaffective condition with utmost accuracy. The extensive process of diagnosis may, therefore, include a physical exam, followed by tests, screenings and imaging studies (MRI or CT scan), and a psychiatric evaluation.
The Mixed Bag of Treatments
Being a combination of mental disorders, the condition generally responds best to a combination of medications, psychotherapy and life skills training. Of course, it varies based on the type and severity of symptoms, and whether the disorder is depressive or bipolar type. For adults who do not respond to psychotherapy or medications, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be considered.
Medications
Usually prescribed medications to relieve psychotic symptoms, stabilize mood and treat depression may include:
- Antipsychotics. The only medication approved by the FDA specifically for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder is the antipsychotic drug paliperidone (Invega). Other antipsychotic drugs are usually prescribed to help manage delusions and hallucinations.
- Mood-stabilizing medications. When the schizoaffective disorder is bipolar type, mood stabilizers can help level out the mania highs and depression lows.
- Antidepressants. When depression is the underlying mood disorder, antidepressants can help manage feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or difficulty with sleep and concentration.
Psychotherapy/ Counseling
Also called talk therapy, may include:- Individual therapy. It aids patients normalize their thought patterns and, so, better understand their condition and learn to manage symptoms. Effective sessions focus on real-life plans, problems and relationships.
- Family or group therapy. Supportive group settings can reduce social isolation and provide a reality check in times of psychosis.
Life skills training
Learning social and vocational skills can help reduce isolation and improve quality of life.- Social skills training. This focuses on improving communication and social interactions, leading to an improvement in the ability to participate in daily activities. New skills and behaviors specific to settings such as the home or workplace can be practiced.
- Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment. Involves helping schizoaffective patients prepare for, find and keep jobs.
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: The Overlap
An individual diagnosed with a bipolar illness may develop the delusions and hallucinations usually associated with schizophrenia. Similarly, an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia can develop agitated states of mind that strongly resemble mania,Read More..
