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 care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all drugs as ordered by your doctor. Do not miss doses. Do not stop taking your drugs even if you are feeling better and signs go away.
- Tell family and friends about your illness and how they can help. You may need extra help and support.
- Talk with your doctor about how to make where you live a safe place. You may need to think about things like knives, sharp tools, window and door locks.
- Remember to get up every day, shower, get dressed, eat, and try to get some fresh air outside. Try to balance completing tasks that are needed with tasks that can wait.
- Limit your time with events that overtire you. Try to sleep 6 to 8 hours a day. Allow time to rest when you get tired after work or school.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may suggest therapy for you and your family. You can learn skills to help you manage your illness.
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
- Improve low mood if you have low mood
- Smooth out an overly excited mood if you are manic
- 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.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Your body is restless or having movements you cannot control
- Change in mood or behavior
- See or hear things that are not there
- Feel hopeless
- Not able to take care of yourself
- Have thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you why it is important to keep taking my drugs, even if I feel better.
- I can tell you what I will do if I feel I might hurt myself or someone else.
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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚