Schizoaffective disorder
Schizoaffective disorder
About schizoaffective disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of two mental illnesses –
schizophrenia
and a mood disorder.
The main types of associated mood disorder include
bipolar disorder
(characterised by manic episodes or an alternation of manic and depressive episodes) and unipolar disorder (characterised by
depressive episodes
).
Schizoaffective disorder is classified into two subtypes: schizoaffective bipolar type and schizoaffective depressive type. Mental health professionals currently believe that schizoaffective disorder is a kind of schizophrenia.
Estimates suggest that as many as one in 3 people diagnosed with schizophrenia actually have schizoaffective disorder. Diagnosis can be difficult because the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder are so similar to that of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder
The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder can include:
Psychotic symptoms
– losing touch with reality, hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thoughts, chaotic speech and behaviour, anxiety, apathy, blank facial expression, inability to move.
Manic symptoms
– increased social, sexual and work activity, rapid thoughts and speech, exaggerated self-esteem, reduced need for sleep, risky behaviours, impulsive behaviours such as spending sprees, quick changes between mood states such as happiness to anger.
Depressive symptoms
– loss of motivation and interest, fatigue, concentration difficulties, physical complaints such as headache or stomach-ache, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, loss of appetite, insomnia.
Cause of schizoaffective disorder is unknown
Most mental health experts believe that schizoaffective disorder is a variation of schizophrenia, but the exact cause remains unclear. Current theory suggests that schizoaffective disorder is triggered by a range of factors working in combination including:
genetic susceptibility
environmental factors such as
stress
differences in brain chemical (neurotransmitters) and receptor interactions.
Diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is difficult
Diagnosis is difficult because the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder are similar to
bipolar disorder
and
schizophrenia
. For example, people who are severely depressed can sometimes suffer from hallucinations, while people coming out of acute schizophrenic episodes are prone to
depression
(post-psychotic depression). A long-term history of the person is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
The symptoms of mania can easily be confused with the emotions, thoughts and behaviours commonly experienced during a schizophrenic psychotic episode.
Diagnosis may take some time because it is so difficult to tell the difference between schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia and mood disorders. Usually, a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is made when the symptoms of schizophrenia and the symptoms of a mood disorder (such as bipolar disorder or unipolar disorder) are present at the same time for at least 2 weeks.
Diagnosis methods for schizoaffective disorder
Medical tests may include
x-rays
and
blood tests
to make sure the symptoms aren’t caused by physical disease. Factors common to schizoaffective disorder that may help a diagnosis include:
onset is typically during the years of early adulthood
watching a moving object is usually difficult for a person with schizoaffective disorder
rapid eye movement (REM) sleep usually occurs abnormally early
women are more susceptible than men.
Treatment options for schizoaffective disorder
A multi-faceted treatment program is generally recommended for schizoaffective disorder, including:
Medications
–
antipsychotic medications
are usually given first. Antidepressant or mood stabilising medications are used once the psychotic symptoms are under control. Sometimes antipsychotic medications and antidepressants are used at the same time. Anticonvulsant medication can also help treat mood disorder symptoms.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
– is used to treat depression by inducing controlled seizures via small electrodes placed at specific locations on the head.
Psychological therapy
– which usually includes learning practical strategies to help avoid or identify future episodes.
Psychosocial counselling
– to help the person avoid the common pitfalls of mental illness such as unemployment, poverty and loneliness.
Support from family and friends
– understanding and support from loved ones is very important. Family and friends are advised to learn as much as they can about schizoaffective disorder to help the affected person and themselves. Support groups and counselling services are available for relatives and friends of people with mental illness.
Where to get help
Your
GP (doctor)
Psychiatrist
Public hospital or community health centre
SANE
Australia
External Link
Tel.
1800 187 263
mind
External Link
Tel.
1300 286 463
The
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental
Health
External Link
Tel.
(03) 9035 3000