What is Schizoaffective Disorder?
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health disorder that has symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder. The main types of associated disorders include bipolar and depression.
Estimates suggest that 1 in 3 people diagnosed with schizophrenia actually have schizoaffective disorder however it is very rare with about 0.5% of the population developing the disorder during their life.
Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder usually begin in late adolescence or early adulthood, with the severity fluctuating over time, and includes psychotic symptoms, manic symptoms, and depressive symptoms.
Psychotic symptoms make you lose touch with reality, hallucinate, become delusional, have disorganised thoughts, chaotic speech and behaviour, anxiety, apathy, blank facial expressions, and the inability to move.
Manic symptoms increase your social, sexual and work activities, have rapid thoughts and speech, an exaggerated self-esteem, reduced need for sleep, engage in risky behaviours, poor impulse control, and mood swings.
Depressive symptoms will cause you to suffer a loss of motivation and interest, fatigue, concentration difficulties, physical pains, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, loss of appetite, and insomnia.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a chronic (long-term) condition that involves intense mood changes which disrupt everyday life — from extreme highs to extreme lows. It affects 1 in 50 Australians each year, and often develops for the first time during teenage years or early adulthood. Bipolar disorder tends to affect more women than men. It is sometimes referred to as manic depression. For a more detailed look, please see the Bipolar Disorder page.
How does Schizophrenia impact life?
One of the biggest challenges for people affected by schizophrenia is the stigma experienced in the community. Most people find schizophrenia hard to understand and there are many myths about the illness, including that people with schizophrenia have a ‘split personality’.
If left untreated, schizoaffective disorder will cause significant impacts to your social functioning and daily living activities which can result in unemployment, isolation, drug us, homelessness and potentially suicide.
Major life impacts include talking or writing very fast, or talking much less than normal, being muddled, irrational or very hard to understand, withdrawn from normal activities, being angry, aggressive or suspicious, disordered sleep, hyperactivity or reckless behaviour, laughing or crying at inappropriate times, or being unable to laugh, cry or express happiness, lack of personal hygiene, developing depression or anxiety.
These will all impact your ability to maintain steady work, personal or romantic relationships and may cause thoughts of suicide or harming others.
What treatments are available?
Treatment for schizoaffective disorder is quite similar to schizophrenia, in that you need to combine antipsychotic medications, mood stabilising medications, antidepressant medications, with therapies including social skills training, vocational rehabilitation and supported employment, peer support, and intensive case management. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is usually a last resort treatment.
Family therapy helps reduce stress in the family and teaches family members how to monitor the disorder.
Individual supportive counselling can you manage the disorder more successfully and obtain emotional support in coping with the distress caused by schizoaffective disorder.
Our support team can help you in your everyday life to experience a greater quality of life by ensuring you’re eating healthy, nutritious meals, attending appointments, keeping yourself and home clean and hygienic, as well as accessing the community and rebuilding interpersonal skills.
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