People who have schizoaffective disorder have symptoms of schizophrenia along with symptoms of bipolar disorder or depression. For example, if you have schizoaffective disorder, you may have hallucinations and delusions as well as periods of mania or depression. Untreated schizoaffective disorder can cause difficulty functioning at work and in social situations, leading to isolation and loneliness.
Treating your schizoaffective disorder can improve your quality of life. Adults can get support for schizoaffective disorder at Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Northeast inpatient treatment center in Moosic, Pennsylvania, near Scranton. We can offer you care that improves your well-being and helps you heal.
Signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder
There are two types of schizoaffective disorder:
- Bipolar type: Bipolar schizoaffective disorder combines symptoms of schizophrenia, mania and major depressive disorder. For example, you may experience hallucinations, difficulty communicating and periods of mania and depression.
- Depressive type: Depressive schizoaffective disorder combines symptoms of schizophrenia and symptoms of major depressive disorder. If you have depressive schizoaffective disorder, you can experience hallucinations, lowered emotional responses and periods of depression.
Bipolar and depressive types of schizoaffective disorder can include the following symptoms:
- Delusions that have no basis in reality
- Unpredictable or inexplicable behavior
- Hearing or seeing things that aren’t there
- Feeling or tasting things that aren’t there
- Periods of depression when you feel hopeless and worthless
- Phases of mania when you experience a decreased need for sleep
- Impaired daily functioning
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Incoherent communication, such as answering questions with unrelated answers
- Reckless behavior
- Lack of energy
- Seeming disconnected from or unaware of what is happening around you
- Sudden outbursts of anger
- Speaking in an emotionless tone or avoiding interaction
A person must meet these criteria to be diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder:
- They must have two of the following symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behaviors, and lack of emotional expression. At least one of these symptoms must include delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech.
- They must also have episodes of mania or depression.
- They must have hallucinations or delusions for at least two weeks when they don’t have symptoms of mania or depression.
- Manic or depressive symptoms will usually be present, even when they aren’t having delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech.
The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder typically begin during late adolescence or early adulthood. But children can develop symptoms, too
Potential effects of schizoaffective disorder
Left untreated, schizoaffective disorder may cause:
- Difficulties at work or school
- Strained relationships with family members and friends
- Social isolation
- Financial problems due to gambling or spending sprees
- Substance abuse
- Self-harm
- Co-occurring mental health disorders
- Lowered quality of life
- Trouble living alone
- Loss of relationships
- Death by suicide
Fortunately, treatment is available. Receiving care at an inpatient treatment center like Geisinger Behavioral Health can help.
Our therapies
Geisinger Behavioral Health offers schizoaffective disorder inpatient treatment for adolescents ages 13 to 17 (coming summer of 2024) and adults ages 18 and older. Full-time services can be an excellent option if your symptoms are interfering with your life. Your care will be developmentally appropriate and may include evidence-based therapies that can improve your independence and relationships.
An effective schizoaffective disorder treatment plan may include:
- Inpatient treatment: Full-time care can give you access to nursing staff, case managers and medical and behavioral health professionals and allow you the time away from home, school or work to focus on your treatment.
- Medication management: Depending on your care plan, a team of qualified professionals can ensure that you get the right type and amount of medication.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This therapy can help you recognize and change negative thought patterns to build resiliency and adaptability.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This talk therapy can help you become more mindful, manage distress, relate to others and regulate your emotions.
- Creative arts therapy: You may paint, listen to music or make music to express yourself. This therapy can help if you find it difficult to express your thoughts and emotions in words.
- Motivational interviewing: Therapists can use this technique to place more emphasis on your healing goals. The therapist asks a series of questions that can allow you to develop your own plan for improvement.
- Group therapy: Meeting with peers and a therapist to discuss your thoughts, experiences and feelings can offer support, and hearing about your peers’ experiences can help you feel less alone.
Benefits of schizoaffective disorder treatment at Geisinger
Geisinger Behavioral Health provides clinically excellent inpatient treatment for schizoaffective disorder. We feature nutritious meals, comfortable and safe patient rooms, and round-the-clock care. Depending on your age and needs, your treatment may include:
- Professional diagnosis: The mix of mood and psychotic symptoms associated with schizoaffective disorder can make it easy to mistake it for other mental health disorders. In addition, the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder are so specific for each person that it’s crucial to get a professional evaluation to receive an accurate diagnosis.
- Flexible assessment: At Geisinger, you can get an assessment by calling anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A staff member will do a preliminary evaluation over the phone; no other pre-admission paperwork is necessary.
- Collaborative, hands-on care: During treatment, you can work with many mental health professionals, including licensed therapists, creative arts therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, registered nurses, physician assistants and other staff.
- Safety: Feeling secure in your environment is essential if your symptoms make you unsure about the accuracy of what you see and hear. Our hospital has behavioral health-specific furniture, CCTV and many other protective features. Patient safety is a top priority.
- Comprehensive treatment plan: You’ll receive support through therapy and medication management, depending on your needs. We offer three group therapy sessions every day. You can also meet with a licensed therapist in individual therapy sessions. If medication is part of your treatment plan, you can meet with a psychiatrist daily. Nurses and other medical staff can also consistently help you with any concerns.
- Education: You’ll learn about therapies, social skills and emotion regulation that can help you continue to heal after you leave our care.
- Co-occurring disorder treatment: If you have a co-occurring mental health or substance use disorder, our expert staff can develop a treatment plan that addresses each symptom and explains how they may relate.
- Compassionate care: Seeking treatment is a courageous decision, and we approach your care with compassion. Understanding your diagnosis, strengths and goals can help us create a personalized plan for you.
To learn more about the therapies and services available at our schizoaffective disorder inpatient treatment center, contact us at your convenience. You can reach our staff at Geisinger Behavioral Health 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Northeast.