Schizoaffective Disorder

About this topic

Schizoaffective disorder is a long-term illness in your brain. People with this illness have both the signs of schizophrenia and mood changes such as low mood or bipolar illness. With this illness, you may quickly move from having trouble managing your thoughts, speech, and actions to a sad mood or moods that change quickly. ‚
People with schizophrenia may have schizoaffective disorder as well. This illness happens in all racial groups and equally among women and men. ‚
There are two types of mood in schizoaffective disorder: ‚

Low mood or depression ¢ ˆ ’ You feel sad, empty, and have decreased pleasure in life. More common for women and older people.
Bipolar illness ¢ ˆ ’ Your mood and thinking may quickly change from happy to angry to sad. This is also called mania. Patients can have an elevated mood, feel powerful, and feel they can do anything. More common in younger people.

People with schizoaffective disorder do not often want help. They may want to be left alone. If not treated, people with this brain illness may have many signs. When treated, patients may get better. ‚

What are the causes?

It is not known exactly what causes schizoaffective disorder. For some reason, there are changes in the way the chemicals in your brain work. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. They affect how you feel, think, and react to events. ‚
Schizoaffective disorder can be passed down through families due to abnormal genes. ‚

What are the main signs?

Signs vary from person to person. ‚

Seeing or thinking things that are not real
Trouble with social interactions, in school, or at a job
Strange thoughts or not able to make sense of things around you
Cannot stop having false feelings about people or events
Feel others are out to get you
Hearing voices no one else hears
Not able to think clearly
Fast change in mood, both highs and lows
Poor emotional control
Not caring about how you look to others
Change in energy level
Too much or too little sleep
Do not want to be with other people

How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?

Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- Scans
Your doctor may send you to a mental health specialist.
To get ready for the visit, write down any signs that you are having. Include both physical and emotional ones. You might find it helpful to take a family member or friend with you to help answer questions.

The doctor may ask you these questions: ‚

Do you often feel very, very sad? If so, how long have you felt this way?
Do you have a lot of energy and feel as if you could do anything you wanted to? How long have you felt this way?
Are family members worried about you?
Do you feel like spending less time with family and friends?
Do you feel as if others are out to get you?
Have you ever had thoughts of hurting yourself or others?
Have any of your close relatives been diagnosed or treated for mental illness?
Do you hear or see things that others do not?

How does the doctor treat this health problem?

Schizoaffective disorder is a long-term mental health problem. Treatment depends on the signs you are having. Using both drugs and talk therapy is helpful. At first, drugs will be used to help you with your thoughts. Some other drug may be used to help with the feeling of sadness or energy that you have. It may take some time to get the right drugs to balance the chemicals in your brain. ‚
Talk therapy is very helpful. It may be you and a therapist just talking about coping with life. That talking session can also be done in a group of people with similar problems. You may talk about your illness and how it affects you. You may also learn about how others have learned to cope with similar illnesses. ‚

Are there other health problems to treat?

Signs of worry, distress, or sleep problems may be treated. Sometimes, your treatment may cause some side effects that you and your doctor can talk about. ‚

What drugs may be needed?

The doctor may order drugs to: ‚

Help you think more clearly
Manage the voices you may hear that others do not
Help low mood
Smooth out an overly excited mood
Treat anxiety
Improve sleep

What problems could happen?

You are at risk if you use alcohol or drugs not ordered by your doctor
Your drugs are not working well
You stop taking your drugs
Side effects from the drugs you are getting for treatment
Not able to care for yourself
Low mood or mood is changing quickly
Thoughts of harming yourself or others

What can be done to prevent this health problem?

There is no way to prevent this illness. Here are some things you can do that may help to prevent signs from coming back: ‚

Take your drugs as ordered.
Know your signs when you are feeling worse and how to get help right away.
Make sure others know about your illness and how they can help.

Where can I learn more?

National Alliance on Mental Health ‚
http://www.nami.org/factsheets/schizoaffective_factsheet.pdf ‚
The Organization for Bipolar Affective Disorder ‚
http://www.obad.ca/information_schizoaffective ‚

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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