Schizoaffective Disorder Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental disorder when a person experiences a combination of signs and symptoms of schizophrenia accompanied by signs and symptoms of mood disorders. Signs and symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations or delusions. While the signs and symptoms of mood disorders such as depression or mania.
There are two types of schizoaffective disorder, namely:
- The bipolar type, which includes episodes of mania and sometimes major depression
- The depressive type, which includes only major depressive episodes
Schizoaffective disorder can vary and the signs and symptoms that occur in each person can vary. A schizoaffective disorder that is not treated immediately can cause various functional disorders at work, school activities, and social situations.
This can then lead to feelings of loneliness and difficulties in carrying out daily activities. Handling this condition can help control disturbing signs and symptoms and improve the sufferer’s quality of life.
Schizoaffective Disorder Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder can vary from person to person. A person experiencing this condition may exhibit psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions. In addition, there are also signs and symptoms of mood disorders, both the bipolar type and the depressive type. The course of schizoaffective disorder is generally characterized by cycles of severe symptoms alternated with improvement or mild symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder depend on the type, namely the bipolar or depressive type. Usually includes symptoms:
- Delusion, namely having a false belief about something, even though there is evidence that clearly disproves it.
- Hallucinations, which can be characterized by hearing voices or seeing things that are not really there.
- Signs and symptoms of depression, such as feeling empty, sad, or worthless
- Manic periods are characterized by a sudden increase in energy accompanied by uncharacteristic behavior.
- Communication disorders, such as only partially answering questions or giving answers that are completely unrelated to the question.
- Impaired occupational, academic, and social functioning.
- Difficulty taking care of oneself, including cleanliness and physical appearance.
Schizoaffective Disorder Reason
The cause of schizoaffective disorder is not known with certainty. It is thought that a combination of factors may contribute to the condition, such as genetics or abnormal variations in brain chemistry and structure.
Several factors that are known to increase a person’s risk of experiencing schizoaffective disorder are:
- Have a sibling with schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.
- Experiencing one or more high-stress events, which then trigger signs and symptoms of the disorder.
- Taking psychoactive or psychotropic drugs.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder can be made through several stages, namely eliminating the possibility of other mental health disorders. Through observation, the doctor can also conclude that the symptoms experienced by the patient are not the result of the use of certain substances, or medication, or the presence of other underlying medical conditions.
The process of determining the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder can be done in the following ways:
- Physical examination. This examination is done to rule out the possibility of other problems that can also cause symptoms, as well as to check for other complications.
- Investigations and screening. This examination includes tests to rule out other conditions with similar signs and symptoms.
Doctors can do a screening to check for possible use of alcohol and illegal drugs. It is also possible that the doctor will require imaging tests, such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), if needed. - Psychiatric evaluation. Doctors or mental health professionals can check a patient’s mental status by observing a person’s appearance and behavior. They will observe ways of thinking, moods or moods, the presence of delusions, hallucinations, use of illegal drugs, and the potential for suicide. The examination can also include a discussion of the patient’s and family’s medical history.
- Diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective disorder. Doctors or mental health professionals may use the diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective disorder to establish a diagnosis.
Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment
People with schizoaffective disorder generally respond well to a combination of drug therapy, psychotherapy, and life skills training. Handling of this disorder can indeed vary. It depends on the type and severity of symptoms, as well as the type of schizoaffective disorder experienced, namely depressive or bipolar.
In some cases, hospitalization is needed. Meanwhile, long-term treatment will be needed to help overcome the symptoms that appear later on.
Several types of treatment that are generally carried out are:
- Drug therapy. In general, doctors can prescribe treatment for schizoaffective disorder that aims to relieve psychotic symptoms, make mood more stable, and overcome depression. These treatments can include antipsychotic drugs, mood-stabilizing medications, and antidepressants.
- Psychotherapy. Apart from drug therapy, psychotherapy can also be used as a method of treating schizoaffective disorder. Psychotherapy consists of individual and group therapy.
Individual therapy aims to help direct mindsets back to normal, relieve signs and symptoms, and help patients to focus on planning, problems, and relationships with other people. - Psychotherapy can also take the form of family or group therapy. In this therapy, people with schizoaffective disorder can discuss their life problems with others while still being monitored by a psychiatrist. A group atmosphere that can support the patient can reduce the patient’s social isolation.
- Life skills training. Learning social and vocational skills can help reduce a patient’s sense of isolation and improve their quality of life. Social skills training usually focuses on improving social interaction and communication skills.
- Patients will also be trained to improve their ability to participate in daily activities. New skills and behavior specific to certain situations, for example at home or at work, can also be trained.
Meanwhile, vocational rehabilitation is aimed at helping people with schizoaffective disorder to prepare, find and maintain a job.
Prevention
Because the cause of schizoaffective disorder is not known with certainty, there is no method that has been proven to be completely effective in preventing this disorder.