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Schizoaffective Disorder - Schizoaffective Disorder Symptom, Cause, Treatment
Schizoaffective disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis describing a situation where both the symptoms of mood disorder and psychosis are present. The diagnosis is used when an individual does not fit diagnostic standards for either schizophrenia or "affective" (mood) disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder (manic depression). The age of onset is later for women than for men, and the exact etiology and epidemiology is unclear because of limited research in this area. The serious nature of the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder sometimes requires patients to be hospitalized at times for treatment. Patients with schizoaffective disorder are thought to have a better prognosis than that of patients with schizophrenia . Depression is an illness that is marked by feelings of sadness, worthlessness or hopelessness, as well as problems concentrating and remembering details. Schizoaffective disorder is a life-long illness that can impact all areas of daily living, including work or school, social contacts and relationships. Most people with this illness have periodic episodes, called relapses, when their symptoms surface. While mood disorders are relatively common in children, a full syndrome of schizophrenia is not. Therefore schizoaffective disorder tends to be rare in children.
Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder
Some common symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder :
- Negative symptoms (e.g., affective flattening, alogia, avolition)
- Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
- Elevated, inflated, or depressed mood
- Symptoms that could be seen during a manic or depressed state (changes in appetite, energy, sleep)
- Delusions of reference (for example, believing that someone on TV or the radio is speaking directly to you or that secret messages are hidden in common objects)
- Deteriorating concern with hygiene, grooming
- Irritability and poor temper control
Causes of Schizoaffective Disorder
The common causes of Schizoaffective Disorder :
- A tendency to develop schizoaffective disorder may be passed on from parents to their children.
- Evidence suggests that certain environmental factors such as a viral infection, poor social interactions or highly stressful situations may trigger schizoaffective disorder in people who have inherited a tendency to develop the disorder
- However it is unclear as yet whether that is caused by the environment or whether it is as a result of a genetic predisposition.
- It is important for people with schizoaffective disorder to live in an environment with a low degree of stress and to monitor the types of stress that cause relapses.
- The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but factors that affect the development of both psychosis and mood disorders may play a role.
Treatment of Schizoaffective Disorder
- They should receive therapy that involves their families, develops their social skills, and focuses on cognitive rehabilitation.
- Treatment includes education about the disorder and its treatment, family assistance in compliance with medications and appointments, and maintenance of structured daily activities (ie, schedule of daily events) for the patient.
- The choice of medication depends on the mood disorder associated with the illness
- The treatment of people with schizoaffective disorder varies, but generally involves medications to stabilize mood and to treat psychosis.
- This generally focuses on work and social skills, grooming and hygiene, and other day-to-day activities, including money and home management.
- As a practical matter, differentiating between schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder is not absolutely critical, since antipsychotic medication is recommended for all three.
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