Treatment for schizoaffective disorder typically involves medication to stabilize the mood and treat the
psychotic symptoms. In addition, psychotherapy (a type of counseling) and
skills training may be useful for improving interpersonal, social and coping
skills.
Medication: The choice of medication depends on
the mood disorder associated with the illness. The primary medications used to
treat the psychotic symptoms associated with schizophrenia, such as delusions,
hallucinations and disordered thinking, are called antipsychotics. The
mood-related symptoms may be treated with an antidepressant medication or a
mood stabilizer such as lithium. These medications may or may not be used in
combination with an antipsychotic medication.
Psychotherapy: The goal of therapy is to help the
patient learn about the illness, establish goals and manage everyday problems
related to the disorder. Family therapy can help families deal more effectively
with a loved one who has schizoaffective disorder, enabling them to better help
their loved one.
Skills training: This generally focuses on work and social
skills, grooming and hygiene, and other day-to-day activities, including money
and home management.
Hospitalization: Most people with schizoaffective disorder
are treated as outpatients. However, people with particularly severe symptoms,
or those in danger of hurting themselves or others may require hospitalization
to stabilize their conditions.
What Is the Outlook for People With Schizoaffective Disorder?
There is no cure for schizoaffective disorder, but treatment has been shown
to be effective in minimizing the symptoms, and in helping the person better
cope with the disorder and improve social functioning.
Can Schizoaffective Disorder Be Prevented?
There is no known way to prevent schizoaffective disorder. However, early
diagnosis and treatment can help avoid or reduce frequent relapses and
hospitalizations, and help decrease the disruption to the person's life, family
and friendships.
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
Schizophrenia is a disabling brain disorder that may cause hallucinations and delusions and affect a person's ability to communicate and pay attention. Symptoms of psychosis appear in men in their late teens and early 20s and in women in their mid-20s to early 30s. With treatment involving the use of antipsychotic medications and psychosocial treatment, schizophrenia patients can lead rewarding and meaningful lives.
Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is a mental illness characterized by depression, mania, and severe mood swings. Treatment may incorporate mood stabilizer medications, antidepressants, and psychotherapy.
Psychotic disorders are a group of serious illnesses that affect the mind. Different types of psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, brief psychotic disorder, shared psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, substance-induced psychotic disorder, paraphrenia, and psychotic disorders due to medical conditions.
Mental illness is any disease or condition affecting the brain that influence the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and/or relates to others. Mental illness is caused by heredity, biology, psychological trauma and environmental stressors.
Factitious disorders are conditions in which people pretend to have physical or mental illnesses when they aren't sick. These people may lie about or fake symptoms to obtain the sympathy and attention given to people who are genuinely ill. Symptoms of factitious disorders include dramatic, inconsistent medical history, the presence of many surgical scars, and a history of seeking treatment at many different hospitals.
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