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Can Schizoaffective Turn Into Schizophrenia

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Schizophrenia Vs Schizoaffective Subtle Differences:

My Experience with Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders bear many commonalities but there are some subtle differences that can contribute to the right diagnosis.

Symptoms of schizophrenia develop in the early 20s while that of schizoaffective disorder develops in the late 20s.

Schizophrenia is characterized solely by psychotic symptoms while schizoaffective disorder in addition to psychotic symptoms has symptoms of mood disorder too.

In schizophrenia, those psychotic symptoms are consistent and chronic which completely impaired the life functioning of human beings while in schizoaffective disorder psychotic symptoms are episodes which result in only partial impairment of life functioning.

Challenges In Diagnosis And Treatment

The overlapping symptomatology of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder often presents significant diagnostic challenges for clinicians. In some cases, mood disturbances are missed altogether due to a singular focus on psychotic symptoms. In other cases, the nature of mood disturbances is misunderstood, resulting in incorrect or missed identification of a mood disorder. This may happen for a number of reasons, including a clients reluctance to disclose mood symptoms or inability to recognize such symptoms, particularly when overwhelmed by the experience of psychosis. Meanwhile, clinicians may fail to ask about mood episodes in a way that will clarify their origin. As the authors of the European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience study note, there is also evidence that clinicians choose the less severe diagnosis for psychotic patients, which is commonly understood to be schizoaffective disorder.

Long Periods With No Sleep And Extra Energy

Having bipolar is often categorized by having long periods where you get little to no sleep and being overexcited. Though this is classified as a manic episode, there are different components. The person isnt really doing anything to get them in trouble, but they have so much energy they cant be calmed down.

Signs of this may include:

  • Talking too fast
  • Acting like they have ADHD because they have so much energy.
  • Being awake for days with no sleep.

Remember, they will crash after going without sleep for long periods, and then the depression will likely come into play.

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Can Psychotic Depression Lead To More Complications Such As Schizophrenia

As weve explored already, depression is a disorder of a different kind and category than schizophrenia. This means that depression does not ultimately evolve into schizophrenia. But there are overlaps in symptoms and side effects with the two disorders, and it is possible for someone to have both disorders at once. When someone has co-occurring depression and schizophrenia, it has a unique diagnosis: schizoaffective disorder. This dual diagnosis is important because it informs the level of integrated treatment someone needs.

Even without the occurrence of a psychotic disorder, when depression is particularly severe, it is possible for a person to experience distortions in their reality, including psychotic symptoms. An important difference is that someone with schizophrenia who experiences a psychotic episode inherently believes that their delusions or hallucinations are part of reality someone who experiences a psychotic episode in connection with severe depression often has a better grip on their actual reality and can clue into the discrepancies there.

This understanding of the disconnect between what they are perceiving and the reality they know does not necessarily diminish their distress and confusion. On the contrary, this awareness can bring its own overwhelming complications. It can add to a persons anxiety and their feelings of shame, unworthiness, hopelessness, and lack of confidence.

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What Causes These Disorders

DifferBetween

After years of research, doctors still dont know what causes schizophrenia. They think that chemical imbalances of dopamine and glutamate might play a role. Also, they know that people with schizophrenia often have physically different brains than those who dont. This might indicate that it happens during the development of the brain itself.

Doctors havent studied schizoaffective disorder for nearly as long. However, theyve made more breakthroughs. For example, doctors believe that the genes that control the bodys natural sleep and wake cycle contribute to this disorder.

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What If I Am Not Happy With My Treatment

If you arent happy with your treatment you can:

  • talk to your doctor about your treatment options,
  • ask for a second opinion,
  • ask a relative, friend or advocate to help you speak your doctor,
  • contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service , or
  • make a complaint.

There is more information about these options below.

What can I say to my doctor?

You should first speak to your doctor about your treatment. Explain why you arent happy with it, giving specific reasons. You could ask what other treatments you could try.

Tell your doctor if there is a type of treatment that you would like to try. Doctors should listen to your preference. If youre not given this treatment, ask your doctor to explain why they think its not suitable for you.

Can I get a second opinion?

A second opinion means that you would like a different doctor to give their opinion about what treatment you should have. You can also ask for a second opinion if you disagree with your diagnosis.

You dont have a right to a second opinion. But your doctor should listen to your reason for wanting a second opinion.

You can find more information about Second opinions by clicking here.

What is advocacy?

Advocates help you to deal with and overcome issues that you have. They are independent from the NHS and free to use.

They can be useful if you find it difficult to get your views heard. There are 3 types of advocates that might be able to help if you are unhappy about your treatment.

How can I complain?

Schizophrenia Vs Schizoaffective Duration Of Mood Episode:

Another MAJOR difference between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder is the duration of mood episodes experienced by the individual.

Individuals suffering from schizoaffective disorder are likely to experience mood disorder for almost half or completely through the duration of illness in addition to psychotic symptoms.

In schizophrenia, the duration of symptoms of mood disorder is much less than the duration of experience of psychotic symptoms.

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What The Doctor Will Want To Know

If you or a loved one are being evaluated for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, a doctor may ask questions which include the following:

  • Personal hygiene. Good or poor?
  • Is the person generally cooperative or easily agitated?
  • Do the facial expressions match the mood?
  • Does the patient make eye contact?
  • Are the movements slow, as if the person is moving through water?
  • Do words and sentences follow a normal thought process?
  • Does the person appear depressed or manic?
  • Does he or she have a grandiose sense of self?
  • Does the patient know his name? Can he tell you the day of the week?
  • Does the patient respond to stimuli that are imaginary?
  • Does the patient have paranoid thoughts?
  • Are they experiencing suicidal thoughts?
  • Has the patient recently used drugs and alcohol?5

The symptoms of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder can be managed through treatment, so its important to find the right care. People with either diagnosis can live healthy and full lives.

Are Bipolar Disorder And Schizophrenia Related

Answering Your Search Questions About Schizophrenia

Oftentimes, it may be difficult for professionals, let alone the general public, to differentiate between mental health disorders especially when two disorders share similar traits and genetic dispositions. This is often true for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, both are debilitating mental health disorders but with the proper treatment, symptoms can be controlled. Genetics play a large role in the development of both disorders and studies have shown that some abnormalities in the same genes may be shared by both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In addition, it is vital to know the difference between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Bipolar disorder

Schizophrenia

Schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type

Schizoaffective disorder is a subset of schizophrenia but also includes symptoms of a mood disorder such as depression or mania however hallucinations and delusions must also be present as well. The bipolar subtype of schizoaffective disorder presents with symptoms of mania mixed with psychotic symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Since this disorder is combines symptoms for separate mental health illnesses, it is often misdiagnosed which prolongs the treatment course resulting in potential negative complications. The following is the diagnostic criteria for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar subtype:

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Psychosis In Children And Youth

psychotic disorders list is the name of a symptoms or experiences, which include hallucinations and delusions.

Is schizophrenia a psychotic disorder? | Current Psychiatry – MDedge

Understanding psychotic disorders list. Edited by Anne Cooke. A report by the Division of Clinical Psychology. Why people sometimes hear voices, …

Not Everyone Who Has Bipolar Disorder Experiences Psychosis

Conclusive data on how prevalent psychosis is in bipolar disorder are scarce. One 2007 meta-analysis pooling data on 5,973 people with bipolar disorder from 33 studies conducted between 1922 and 2005 found that 61 percent of them experienced at least one symptom of psychosis at some point in their lives.

What is clear is that while psychosis appears to be relatively common in bipolar disorder, a fair number of people with the condition will never experience it, Dr. Li says.

Similarly, not everyone who experiences psychosis during a mood episode will experience it with every mood episode, Dr. Malaspina says. And just because someone hasnt experienced psychotic symptoms during an episode before doesnt mean they never will.

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Schizophrenia Vs Schizoaffective Disorder: Overview

Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are related conditions, and because the names are so similar many believe the latter is a subtype of the former. Schizoaffective disorder sufferers often receive a schizophrenia diagnosis when the condition is in its early stages, which helps reinforce this conception.

But the relationship between the two disorders is not so simple. There are similarities between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, but there are also significant differences that make it impossible to categorize one by referring to the other. In fact, despite schizophrenias notoriety, schizoaffective disorder is the more complicated condition to diagnose and treat.

Treatments And Therapies For Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective Disorder: Symptoms, Causes &  Treatment

Schizoaffective disorder is treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy .

There is no cure for schizoaffective disorder, but symptoms can be managed and minimized with proper treatment.

Medication for schizoaffective disorder includes these drugs:

Antipsychotic drugs These medicines are prescribed to help reduce or eliminate symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions.

Antidepressants These drugs help balance chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotion. Antidepressants can lessen feelings of sadness or emptiness.

Mood stabilizers These drugs help even out the “highs” and “lows” that are characteristic of bipolar disorder.

Nondrug treatments for schizoaffective disorder include these options:

Cognitive behavioral therapy You’ll talk with a therapist to develop coping strategies for certain symptoms.

Peer support groups These are meetings that occur in safe environments where you can interact with people who are going through the same things as you. Professional therapists may or may not be involved.

Family therapy This involves seeing a therapist along with some or all of your family members.

It’s helpful when your family knows as much about your medical condition as possible. Therapists can also help your family find problem-solving skills and coping strategies.

Rehabilitation These programs can include job training and counseling, financial management, and the development of communication skills.

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What Is The Difference Between Bipolar Disorder And Schizophrenia Or Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective disorder is a little different. It’s almost a blend of the symptoms of schizophrenia and another mental health condition called bipolar disorder. In bipolar disorder, you have mood swings that include depression and mania. If you have schizoaffective disorder, you can have these bipolar symptoms.

  • Can schizoaffective turn into schizophrenia?
  • Schizophrenia Vs Schizoaffective Course Of The Disease:

    Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder also differ in their course.

    Schizophrenia is a chronic disease with severe symptoms that make an individual unable to perform daily life activity.

    Their behavior is not focused thus resulting in no outcome. Once developed these symptoms persist for a lifetime.

    On the other hand, the course of schizoaffective disorder is not as much as chronic as schizophrenia.

    Individuals diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder need assistance in their everyday functioning but their functioning is not ceased at all as in schizophrenia.

    Although symptoms might have a major impact on everyday life activities such as keeping up with school and holding a reasonable job such threats can be minimized by assistance.

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    Demographic And Clinical Characteristics

    provides demographic information for the three study groups and clinical statistics for patients. One-way analysis of variance and frequency analysis showed that the three groups did not differ significantly in terms of age, gender distribution, years of education or first language. The two patient groups did not differ significantly in the proportion taking first versus second generation anti-psychotic medication, benzodiazepines or mood stabilizers. The differing frequencies of anti-Parkinsonian medication approached but did not reach significance. Mean daily doses of the three most commonly prescribed anti-psychotic medications did not differ between patient groups =1.32, P=.19 olanzapine: t=0.50, P=.62 clozapine: t=1.12, P=.27). The patient groups also did not differ significantly in the severity and duration of illness as indexed by the number of years since psychotic symptom onset or hospitalizations. Similarly, there were no differences in the severity of positive or negative symptoms and general psychopathology. However, schizoaffective disorder patients showed elevated depression scores relative to schizophrenia patients. The PANSS data suggest low-average symptom severity relative to the original normative validation study . In addition, a lower proportion of schizophrenia patients were living independently, although there were no significant differences in frequency of employment.

    Toward Diagnostic Clarity And Comprehensive Care

    10 Things You Should Know About Schizophrenia

    If you are struggling with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder that has not successfully responded to treatment, it may be time to seek more intensive treatment. It may also be valuable to be re-assessed to confirm diagnosis and ensure that you are being treated for the condition you actually have.

    For many, residential treatment programs are the ideal setting to achieve diagnostic clarity and engage in intensive treatment to find rapid relief from symptoms. In these programs, you can undergo in-depth psychological assessment to determine the nature of your psychiatric distress. Simultaneously, the oversight provided by the residential environment allows clinicians to closely observe your symptoms as well as your response to pharmacotherapies in order to further refine diagnosis. As such, you can develop a complete picture of your psychiatric health and create a personalized treatment plan that will address your individual needs.

    High-quality residential treatment programs also offer your loved ones to take an active role in your recovery through family and couples therapy. This can be an instrumental part of your healing journey, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of each others needs, resolve conflict, and improve communication. By working together, you can forward with renewed stability, resilience, and confidence.

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    Schizoaffective Disorder Vs Schizophrenia

    Comparing schizoaffective disorder vs schizophrenia is important. Far too often, people lump these mental disorders together. In reality, theyre completely different disorders that cause different symptoms.

    For example, people who have schizophrenia have a hard time telling the difference between reality and fiction. They might see or hear voices that arent really there. To them, the voices and imagery are as real as it comes. However, others cant see nor hear these nonexistent things.

    With schizoaffective disorder, people feel detached from reality. While it makes them see or hear things that arent there, it also affects their mood a great deal. In fact, two common types of schizoaffective disorder are bipolar and depressive disorders.

    With that said, its important to note that these disorders share some other symptoms. However, theyre still completely different and often require different treatments.

    Schizophrenia Signs And Symptoms

    Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that affects the way a person thinks, behaves or feels. Licensed medical professionals use three categories to describe the symptoms of schizophrenia: positive, negative and cognitive symptoms.

    • Positive symptoms refer to behaviors that cause a person to lose touch with reality. These may include hallucinations , delusions , irrational thinking or unusual body movements.
    • Negative symptoms involve the disruption of normal behaviors and emotions. For instance, these symptoms may include alack of satisfaction in everyday life, diminished facial expressions, speaking in a low tone of voice or even refraining from social activities.
    • Cognitive symptoms impair an individuals decision-making abilities and mental agility, which in turn may affect learning and the ability to function in everyday situations.

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    Can Bipolar Turn To Schizophrenia

    Some mental illnesses share identical symptoms, such as mood swings and depression. Such overlaps occur in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, sometimes making it difficult to differentiate between the two. However, these conditions are distinct from one another, and they do not always co-occur.

    While bipolar disorder cannot develop into schizophrenia, its possible to experience symptoms of both. Before you consult a mental health professional, here are a few things you should know about the two conditions.

    Community Mental Health Services

    How do schizoaffective and schizophrenia disorders compare ...

    These services are important in keeping you out of hospital or in managing your gradual return back into the community after being discharged from hospital.

    Specialist services may be needed including community psychiatric nursing, social services and occupational therapy as well as support in managing your domestic and financial affairs.

    There are different teams that can support you in the community:

    • Early Intervention Team: provides intensive support to young people who have recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
    • Assertive Outreach Team: provides extensive help and support for people who have had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder for quite some time, especially for people who find it difficult to work with other services or have not been able to take their medications regularly for various reasons.
    • Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team: can help at you at home, prevent a hospital admission and provide intensive support after a hospital admission.
    • Vocational Rehabilitation: includes day centres, day hospital or community health centres. These facilities offer different creative activities such as back to work courses, education, art and cooking.

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