Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective Disorder What Is Schizoaffective Types Causes Signs and Symptoms Diagnosis

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Schizoaffective Disorder Overview

The word “SCHIZOAFFECTIVE” can be decomposed into two root words; ‘Schizo’ which is associated with the symptoms of psychosis, on the other and, ‘Affective’ is associated with mood symptoms. This is when a person with Schizoaffective Disorder presents with both psychosis and mood disorder symptoms. According to research, 30% of schizoaffective disorder cases occur between the 25 and 35 age category, among which the frequency of women is higher.

What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?

Schizoaffective Disorder is an abnormal mental health state, which comprises symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorders. Individuals with this disorder are preoccupied with thoughts and behaviours that at some point become intolerable to carry out daily activities, including work or school, interpersonal relationships, and basic daily living skills or personal care. A person suffering from schizoaffective disorder experiences unusual perceptual experiences (hallucinations) or beliefs others do not share (delusions), mood (such as marked depression), low motivation, inability to experience pleasure, and poor attention.

What Are the Different Types of Schizoaffective Disorder?

The types of schizoaffective disorders are Bipolar Type, Depressive Type, and Mixed Type. These types depend on the symptoms of mood disorder that are presented by the affected individual.

Bipolar Type: It majorly combines hypomania and major depression where an individual has numerous episodes of both high and low energy. A person would be cranky or frustrated for a few days and then there will be days when they are agitated and disappointed.
Depressive Type: Major depressive symptoms characterize it. A person gets through a sense of hopelessness and faces difficulties in performing daily activities.
Mixed Type: It is characterized by symptoms of mania as well as depression. They are independent symptoms and do not resemble Bipolar Disorder.

What Are the Causes of Schizoaffective Disorder?

The pathophysiology of schizoaffective disorder is not known, although many scientists believe it is a variant of the disorder of schizophrenia. Researchers have indicated that fixations, genetic aspects, environmental factors, and neurotransmitters may contribute to the illness.

Genetic Factors: A gene variant may be a potential cause to trigger the schizoaffective disorder. A child of a parent with a severe health condition is more likely to suffer from the disorder. However, researchers have not found a specific gene that is responsible, there is still ongoing research taking place.
Personal Factors: An individual is more prone to the disorder if they have experienced some stressful and traumatic experiences in their lives. Also, the existence of childhood trauma may be associated with triggering the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder.
Brain Chemistry: Although the correlation between brain chemistry and mental health disorders is still unclear, studies claim that abnormalities of neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) and receptor interactions can be a cause of schizoaffective disorder.
Brain Structure: The brain regions such as the thalamus, hippocampus, and white matter adjacent to particularly the right lentiform nucleus, left temporal gyrus, and right precuneus may contribute to the disorder.

Different Signs and Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder

Every person shows different signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder. The symptoms start in the late teens or early adulthood. People have mixed symptoms of psychosis and mood disorders ranging from hallucinations to mania and eventually depression.

The signs of schizoaffective disorder are:- Disorientated thoughts and perceptions Confusion and fear Emotional Detachment Difficulties in focusing and concentrating Deprived of motivation and encouragement.
The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder are dependent on the bipolar type or depressive type and include:-
Psychosis Symptoms - delusions, hallucinations, disoriented thinking and perceptions, lack of emotional expression.

Mood Disorder Symptoms - mania and depression

Diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder

While diagnosing schizoaffective disorder, the doctors clinically interview to find the duration and experiences of "symptoms" of the disorder. The diagnostician must also check to make sure the person is not experiencing any physical problems that could cause symptoms similar to schizoaffective disorder, such as a brain tumour or alcohol or drug abuse.
Psychiatrists will refer to these manuals - “The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) produced by the American Psychiatric Association” or diagnosis.

Physical Examination: Psychiatrists discard other medical problems that have similar symptoms using a thorough assessment.
Medical Evaluation and Tests: Medical tests including blood tests, x-rays, and imaging studies such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), EEG (electroencephalography), or CT (computed tomography), are examined to get adequate information and view of the brain to start a treatment.
Mental Health Assessment: In this, the person’s mental status is observed and assessed by their appearance, behaviour, and actions. The psychiatrist interviews and gets information about the person's thoughts, mood, delusions, hallucinations, substance use, and potential for suicide. Additionally, psychiatrists gather information on the family history and background history of the individual to understand the root causes of their symptoms.

Treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder

Individuals with schizoaffective disorder can engage in treatment by pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy that have the potential to improve the well-being of the individual. A particular study based on treatment of schizoaffective disorder has observed that 93% of patients received an antipsychotic. 20% of patients received a mood stabilizer in addition to an antipsychotic, while 19% received an antidepressant along with an antipsychotic.
The three common medications are:

Antipsychotics: This is the initial type of medicine that is also used to cure the symptoms that are similar to schizophrenia — for instance, delusions, hallucinations, and aggressive behaviour. These include aripiprazole, risperidone, paliperidone, olanzapine , and ziprasidone.
Mood Stabilizers: This is the initial type of medicine used to cure and prevent mania. The most common examples of mood stabilizers are Lithium and Valproate, Lamotrigine, and Oxcarbazepine.
Antidepressants: This is the initial type of medication used for treating depression. Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Escitalopram, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, and Citalopram are some of the examples of antidepressants.
Psychotherapy: This is the initial type of therapy where a trustful relationship is built with the sufferer so they can communicate better. The disoriented perceptions and thoughts are transformed using this therapy.

Schizoaffective Disorder vs. Schizophrenia

Schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia have some resemblance but also they are distinct from each other.

Mood Symptoms: A person with schizoaffective disorder has severe mood symptoms such as mania or depression.
A person with schizophrenia has moderate to absence of mood symptoms.
Duration of Psychotic Symptoms: In schizoaffective disorder, psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations occur when there are episodes of mood disorder and the symptoms remain even when the mood gets stable.
In schizophrenia, a person goes to persistent psychotic symptoms that have no connection to mood changes.
Diagnosis Complexity: Schizoaffective disorder diagnosis depends on the presence of both mood disorder and psychotic symptoms.
Schizophrenia diagnosis depends solely on the presence of psychotic symptoms, regardless of mood disturbances.

Common Myths about Schizoaffective Disorder

Myth: Schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia are the same.
Fact: Schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia are connected, but distinct conditions.
Myth: People who have Schizoaffective Disorder cannot work or maintain relationships.
Fact: The right treatment, support, and therapy makes people capable of working professionally, maintaining relationships, and living an independent life. The disorder doesn't restrict a person's abilities or potential.

Living with Schizoaffective Disorder

Living with schizoaffective disorder can be difficult, so here is how you can cope and take effective steps in your life:

Build a Healthy Relationship with Your Treatment Team: If you have started noticing the signs in yourself, you must talk to an experienced psychiatrist. A strong relationship with the team helps you to communicate better and get the right treatment.
Get Adequate Information about the Disorder: Educating yourself about schizoaffective disorder may help you to understand the symptoms and follow the treatment plan. Additionally, your friends and family can learn more about the disorder to compassionately support you.
Be Alert to Warning Signs: Be vigilant and watch for symptoms that disrupt daily activities. Immediately contact your psychiatrist if symptoms return to prevent them from worsening.
Sleep Adequately: Maintaining a proper sleep schedule helps balance your lifestyle.
Be Goal-Oriented: Keeping your treatment goals in mind will help you stay motivated to manage your condition and focus on your life goals.
Avoid Alcohol or Drugs: Consuming alcohol or drugs can worsen schizoaffective disorder.
Learn Stress Management Skills: Stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, and exercise can be helpful.
Join a Support Community: Support communities help you build healthy connections with others who have similar disorders.

How to Support Your Loved Ones?

Support from close ones like friends and family creates a huge difference in the patient’s overall treatment. Here’s how one can help their loved ones with schizoaffective disorders.

Ask How You Can Help: You should directly ask them in what ways you can be helpful to them.
Accompany Them: There will be times when they will be anxious to go for an appointment or activity, so you keep them company assuring them they are not alone.
Encourage Decision-Making: Tell them to make decisions even if they persuade you to make decisions on their behalf.

How Is Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre Unique in Its Treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder?

We understand the stigma that may be associated with the disorders, but you must understand that help is accessible. Initially, your symptoms will disturb your daily livelihood, and then they impact your relationships and eventually take a toll on your overall well-being. At our rehabilitation centre, we provide intensive treatment for patients who get diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. We understand the person completely and find a treatment plan that is best suitable for schizoaffective disorder treatment. We always keep in touch with the patients and guide them when negative thoughts (self-harm)consume their minds.

Statistical data about schizoaffective disorder

Between 10% and 30% of people with schizoaffective disorder may need to be hospitalized at some point to help stabilize or treat the condition. About 10% of people with schizoaffective disorder die by suicide.

Source - www.yalemedicine.org

Schizoaffective disorder occurs more frequently in women than in men. The condition is rare—it affects about 0.3% of Americans, which is 3 in every 1,000 people.