Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health disorder that is characterized by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms like hallucinations or delusions and mood disorder symptoms such as mania or depression.
According to JAMA, it’s estimated that less than 1% of the population has this condition and around 3 out of every 1000 people are living with schizoaffective disorder. Even though living with schizoaffective disorder can be difficult, there are ways to safely and effectively manage its symptoms and lead a high-quality life.
Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder
Symptoms for schizoaffective disorder vary greatly.
The most common ones include:
- Paranoid thoughts
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Disorganized behaviors and thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating
- Appetite changes
- Trouble sleeping
- Social isolation
Causes and Risk Factors of Schizoaffective Disorder
The true cause of the schizoaffective disorder is unknown. However, it may be the result of chemical abnormalities in the brain like an imbalance in serotonin and dopamine. Genetics, environmental factors, and birth defects may play a role as well.
Those who have a family history of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, abuse drugs or alcohol, are coping with life stressors, have been a victim of abuse and/or neglect, or faced prenatal exposure to certain toxins are at risk for this condition.
Treatments for Schizoaffective Disorder at CBH
The ideal treatment for schizoaffective disorder is a combination of medications like mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants, psychotherapy, and life skills training such as social skills training and vocational rehabilitation. At Compassion Behavioral Health, we offer a variety of treatments for patients with a schizoaffective disorder such as:
–Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
–Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
–Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
–Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
-Medication
We also treat patients who are experiencing both schizoaffective disorder and a substance abuse condition. Between our Substance Abuse Treatment Program and a Mental Health Treatment Program, we can effectively treat both disorders simultaneously.
Compassion Behavioral Health in South Florida offers a range of individualized options for treatment to support recovery for individuals struggling with Schizoaffective Disorder.
Residential Treatment for Schizoaffective Disorder
Individuals with severe symptoms of schizoaffective disorder can find a safe, supportive environment in our residential treatment program. Clients requiring a stable setting to manage the complex symptoms of both mood disorder and schizophrenia are intended for this level of care. We provide a thorough, multidisciplinary approach that integrates medication management, psychotherapy, life skills guidance, and, if needed, support for substance abuse disorders.
Our team’s main goals are to stabilize symptoms, enhance daily functioning, and create plans for the disorder’s long-term management. Individuals with schizoaffective disorder participate in a range of therapies, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which are designed to address particular challenges.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for Schizoaffective Disorder
For patients requiring a structured treatment program without full-time supervision or those transitioning from residential care, the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is an intermediate step. With PHP, patients can come to our facility for intense therapy sessions during the day and go back to the supportive living environment we provide in the evening. The program facilitates a more seamless transition to daily life by offering a balance between the autonomy to use newly acquired skills in a real-world situation and continuous, comprehensive care. To assist recovery and avert relapse, the emphasis is on ongoing medication management, psychoeducation, skill development, and therapy.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Schizoaffective Disorder
For those with schizoaffective disorder who are prepared to resume their regular obligations but still participate in organized therapy, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides flexible treatment options. IOP is appropriate for patients who have improved significantly in higher care levels or for those who have milder symptoms. The program consists of many weekly group and individual therapy sessions with an emphasis on improving social and vocational functioning, creating coping mechanisms, and preserving symptom stability. IOP participants gain from an encouraging therapeutic group and continuous condition monitoring, which guarantees they have the tools and assistance needed to properly manage their condition.
We are dedicated to providing compassionate, all-encompassing care at all levels of care because we recognize the complexity of schizoaffective disorder. Our mission is to enable people with schizoaffective disorder to reach their maximum level of functioning and quality of life, whether it’s through residential care, PHP, or IOP.