Schizoaffective DisorderWhat is it?

How does it affect the person diagnosed?

How is it dealt with?

Alexandra Chapman8th period

What is Schizoaffective Disorder?

A mental disorder that consists of Schizophrenia and a mood disorder (bipolar or depression)

No known cause, genetics and chemical environment of the brain may be involved

Rare in children

Women > Men

Affects 1/100

schizophrenia + depression = schizoaffective disorder

schizophrenia + (depression + mania) = schizoaffective disorder

To understand this disorder we must first understand what schizophrenia and the most common mood disorder experienced with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, is.

Schizophrenia

How does Schizophrenia answer those 3 questions?

What is Schizophrenia?

A serious mental disorder that: confuses fantasy and reality, makes it hard to think clearly, makes expressing emotions hard, and makes acting normally in a social setting hard

Not absolute sure of cause but genes play a role

Women = Men

Signs in teen years or young adulthood; women’s signs appear later

Childhood schizophrenia is rare, starts after age 5, hard to defer from other things like autism

Schizophrenics are NOT all violent people

Most lead somewhat normal lives

1% of Americans suffer from

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

How does it affect the person diagnosed? There are three types: positive, negative, and cognitive

Positive Symptoms (Psychotic Symptoms)

Hallucinations (hearing, seeing, smelling, feeling things that are not there that no one else does)

Delusions (strongly held false beliefs)

Disorganized thinking patterns (can’t organize or express thoughts logically)

Paranoia (delusions of persecution [ someone is out to hurt them])

Agitated body movements (repeat certain movements uncontrollably or no body response)

Negative Symptoms (Behavioral Disruptions)

Monotone voice

Little to no movement in face or body when speaking

Lack of motivation

Lack of happiness

Very little speech

Neglecting of basic hygiene

Laziness

Cognitive Symptoms (Mental Abilities)

Trouble understanding info needed to make decisions (choices)

Trouble focusing, staying attentive, and/or concentrating

Trouble applying learned information

“Treatment”

This is a life-long disease so there is no cure.

How is it dealt with?

Antipsychotic Medications

Side Effects include: restlessness, weight gain, sleepiness, dizziness, tremors, slowed movements

Long term use can lead to dyskinesia (repetition of certain movements uncontrollably)

Support Programs and Therapy

Can lead to: physical illness, substance abuse, or suicide/suicidal behavior

Bipolar Disorder

How does this disorder answer those three questions?

What is Bipolar Disorder?

A mood disorder where a person has extreme, abnormal periods (episodes) of severe depression and/or severe mania

Not exactly sure of cause but they think the brain’s chemical environment and genetics play a role

Women = Men

Starts ages 15-25

High risk of suicide and substance abuse

Depressive episodes < Manic episodes

Childbirth, insomnia, drug use, and antidepressants/steroids can trigger a manic episode

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Normal

Major Depressive

Mania

Mild Depression

HypomaniaBipolar I Disorder

Bipolar II Disorder

Cyclothymia

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

How does it affect the person diagnosed? What are the symptoms of a manic and a depressive episode?

Manic Symptoms

Easily distracted

Bad temper

Bad judgment

Lack of need for sleep

Lack of self-control

Elevated mood

Reckless behavior

Irritable

Fast and excessive speech

Very involved

Depressive Symptoms

Downed mood; sad

Eating problems

Difficulty concentrating and focusing

Difficulty making decisions and remembering things

Fatigue

Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty

Lowered self-esteem

Loss of pleasure

Suicidal thoughts or behavior

Over-sleeping or insomnia

Isolation

“Treatment”

This is a life-long disorder with no cure

How is it dealt with? Part I

The goals of treatment:

Decrease severity of episodes

Decrease frequency of episodes

Prevent self-harm

Prevent suicide

Help function well “normally” daily

How is it dealt with? Part II

2 Types of medicines used

1st- mood stabilizers to “avoid” mood swings

2nd- antipsychotics and antidepressants

Other cases

May be hospitalized in severe episodes

Stay until mood is stable and behavior is controlled

Schizoaffective Disorder

Now that we know what it consists of, how does it answer our two remaining questions?

Quick Review

In case you forgot about what Schizoaffective Disorder is…

A mental disorder that includes schizophrenia and a mood disorder

schizophrenia + depression = schizoaffective disorder

schizophrenia + (depression + mania) = schizoaffective disorder

Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder

How does it affect the person diagnosed?

Symptoms

Many of those in common with symptoms of Schizophrenia (psychosis)

Extreme mood disturbances

Many in common with bipolar symptoms

Psychosis symptoms solely must be experienced for at least 2 weeks

Things that can mimic these symptoms but are NOT Schizoaffective Disorder

Seizure disorders

Steroid medications

Drug abuse

“Treatment”

Like Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia, this is a life-long disease

How is it dealt with?

Treatment options

Antipsychotic medications

Antidepressant medications

Mood stabilizing medicines

Speech therapy

Talk therapy

Group therapy

Work training/support

Treatment complications

Drug abuse

Medication/therapy problems

Thank you!

We will now proceed to going over the notes handout as a class.