schizoaffective disorder

What is schizoaffective disorder?

Schizoaffective disorder is a chronic mental health issue that manifests as a blend of symptoms of schizophrenia, e.g., delusions or hallucinations, and mood disorders such as being depressed or manic. This overlap of presenting symptoms often leads to delayed diagnosis of the condition, which in turn hinders accurate management.

Schizoaffective disorder is, luckily, not that common, with an overall global prevalence ranging between 0.3% and 0.8%, as stated by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Slight gender predominance is observed, with females affected more than males, but men are observed to develop the condition at an earlier age than women.

Mid Cities Psychiatry offers you the best management options for schizoaffective disorder in Euless. We understand the challenges you face while fighting this mental health issue, and we provide you with comprehensive care to make your mental health journey better.

Schizoaffective Disorder Symptoms

Schizoaffective disorder symptoms blend different characteristics that resemble both schizophrenia and mood disorders. Symptoms vary in severity and duration, but you must meet the required schizoaffective disorder DSM-5 criteria to fall under this category.

Two or more psychotic symptoms, which must be there for at least one month and include at least 1 of the first three symptoms listed below:

Delusions: fixed false beliefs that are unshakeable
Hallucinations: experiencing things that are not real, such as hearing sounds or seeing things others deny exist
Disorganized speech
Catatonic behavior: either making a lot of unnecessary movements (such as fidgeting or spinning) or not moving at all for hours
Negative symptoms such as less expressive emotionally, unmotivated, socially withdrawn

Mood disorders symptoms that you must experience along with psychotic symptoms, and are present for a considerable portion of the illness

Depressive symptoms
Manic symptoms

You must experience hallucinations and/or delusions for at least a 2-week period in the absence of any major mood symptoms at some point in the course of the disorder.
Symptoms are not secondary to any substance abuse or underlying medical condition.

Schizoaffective Disorder Causes

While researchers still have to look for what exactly causes schizoaffective disorder, many risk factors are suggested to trigger the development of the condition, which include:

If you have a known family history, this can significantly enhance your chances of getting the disorder
Altered levels of brain chemical messengers, like dopamine or serotonin, can cause this mental health issue
If you have been taking psychoactive drugs
Significant stress or trauma

Types of Schizoaffective Disorder

The 2 main types are defined based on the mood symptoms being experienced by you:

Schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type

You’re likely to experience psychotic symptoms along with manic episodes. There may or may not be depressive symptoms.

Schizoaffective disorder, depressive type

Psychotic symptoms characteristically exist with major depressive episodes.

Treatment of schizoaffective disorder

Timely interventions for schizoaffective disorder are crucial to reach optimal mental health. Mid Cities Psychiatry offers you all sorts of treatment modalities required to treat this disorder. Schedule your consultation today.

Psychiatric Medication

Antipsychotics
Mood stabilizers
Antidepressants

Psychotherapy

Innovative procedure

Electroconvulsive therapy ECT

FAQs

Can schizoaffective disorder be cured?

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for schizoaffective disorder to date, but timely interventions definitely enhance the outcome of the prognosis.

At what age do people get schizoaffective disorder?

People with this condition might develop symptoms at any time, yet they typically surface during late adolescence or beginning adulthood, which lasts from age 16 to 30.

What happens if schizoaffective disorder goes untreated?

Untreated schizoaffective disorder tends to deteriorate when patients fail to receive appropriate treatment. The condition makes it harder to keep a job steady or build relationships. This can ultimately lead to hospitalization becoming necessary.

Is someone with schizoaffective disorder dangerous?

The widespread belief that all individuals with schizoaffective disorder are violent holds no truth. Nonetheless, the disorder does increase the likelihood of substance abuse precipitating risky behavior and suicidal ideations.

What Our Patients Say

Real Stories, Real Recovery

I’ve been going to Dr. Kazi since 2015 and she has helped me get through a lot of my hardest times. When I came to her in 2015 my mind had taken over my body and my life. She got me through it. She is caring, professional and excellent at her God-given gift as a Psychiatrist. Thanks, Dr. Kazi for giving a part of yourself to many daily. You are a true Blessing to many.

I have been a patient for two years. Every staff member has been outstanding. Amanda Bell is a blessing. She is compassionate, and sincere, listens intently and is always able to calm me and help me focus and get the most from my treatments. Dr Kazi has been available whenever I need help. She is on top of my care and aggressively monitors my progress. I came to her suffering major depression and overall a mess. My mental health has substantially improved under her care and she is continuing to help me reach and maintain even higher levels of health. The office does have strict policies but everything is clear and patients are well informed at all times. The guidelines are appropriate and reasonable. I highly recommend this mental health clinic

Fantastic staff and providers, excellent services, amazing care, compassionate professionals, timely prescription refills, and a calm atmosphere. What more could you ask for?

I have had amazing experiences with this business, both on the medical and business side. Any issues I've experienced with billing have been handled gracefully and with patience; the staff are very easy to talk to and are understanding. I LOVE PA Hofer; she (and other staff) are always very quick to answer online Portal questions, are very flexible with visits, understand when it comes to medication costs/changes, and go the extra step when it comes to evidence-based practice.

I've been taking my mom to Dr. Kazi for the past 17 months and we still go. She is an amazing physician and her staff is very warm and welcoming. She has helped my mom when mom needed her the most. If it was not for Dr. Kazi's, I don't know what would have happened to my mom. I am so grateful to her. The bonus is her staff is awesome. Very response to emails and phone calls. Amanda is amazing!! I can't thank Dr. Kazi enough!!

Other Mental Health Conditions

We provide a comprehensive care provision for the most common mental issues people struggle with, such as PTSD, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, sleep disorder, schizophrenia, and numerous other mental health conditions.