Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health concern that can lead to excessive amounts of distress in a person’s life. It features symptoms similar to schizophrenia, along with persistent manic or major depressive episodes.
It can also be complicated to diagnose. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) says that many people who have schizoaffective disorder are incorrectly diagnosed with either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder at first.
Living with schizoaffective disorder can be incredibly challenging. But at Glenwood Behavioral Health Hospital, we provide acute inpatient and outpatient treatment for adults age 18 and older who are struggling with schizoaffective disorder.
Signs & Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder signs and symptoms are largely dependent on a host of individual factors, including which type of mood episode a person is currently experiencing.
Some common schizoaffective disorder signs and symptoms include:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Lack of attention to hygiene, grooming, or appearance
- Catatonic behavior
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Lack of facial expressiveness
- Impaired judgment or focus
- Difficulty remembering things
- Rapid weight loss or gain
- Noticeable changes in appetite
- Inability to express thoughts
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Engaging in reckless behaviors
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Anyone who is displaying schizoaffective disorder signs and symptoms should seek help from a qualified schizoaffective disorder treatment center.
Schizoaffective Disorder Statistics
Schizoaffective disorder is relatively rare. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) says that it affects 0.3% of the population.
The following are some other statistics about who schizoaffective disorder typically affects:
- According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), approximately 5% of people who have schizoaffective disorder die by suicide.
- The prevalence of schizoaffective disorder is about the same for men and women, according to NAMI, though men often develop the illness at an earlier age.
- Schizoaffective disorder may affect those who are homeless at a rate 100 times higher than the general population, according to BMC Psychiatry.
Potential Schizoaffective Disorder Effects
Schizoaffective disorder can make many areas of a person’s life difficult to manage. Experiencing schizoaffective disorder effects can undermine your social, emotional, and physical well-being, greatly diminishing your chances of living a satisfying, productive life.
Some possible schizoaffective disorder effects can include:
- Inability to find or keep a job
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Homelessness
- Struggles in school or at work
- Trouble forming relationships
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Legal difficulties, such as being arrested
- Financial concerns
- Constant feeling of hopelessness
- Onset or worsening of other mental health concerns
- Loss of support among loved ones
Though schizoaffective disorder can be an intimidating mental illness to address, it is treatable. By receiving the right type and level of care at a professional schizoaffective disorder treatment place, you can rediscover a happier, healthier way of life.
The Benefits of Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment
Because this is a condition that tends to produce inaccurate initial diagnoses, finding a schizoaffective disorder treatment center that can provide an accurate assessment of the mental health concern you’re living with is a significant step.
Schizoaffective disorder, like many mental health concerns, can leave you feeling hopeless and alone. But there are others who understand your struggles. In addition to receiving compassionate care from a team of experts, you’ll interact with and learn from other patients who are also navigating these schizoaffective disorder symptoms.
You’ll be able to address the pain of your past and try to change the negative behavior patterns that have affected you, all while forming bonds and developing relationships that can help propel you forward in your recovery.
Why Choose Our Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment Center
One of the most important elements at any schizoaffective disorder treatment place is personalized care. That means treating the patient instead of their symptoms and developing a schizoaffective disorder treatment plan that can produce the best outcomes for each individual.
At Glenwood Behavioral Health Hospital, we begin the process of treating your unique needs at admission. We’ll administer a thorough assessment that will lay the groundwork for your treatment, identifying your needs, focusing on your strengths, and looking toward your short- and long-term goals. All this information will help us in developing the personalized schizoaffective disorder treatment plan that will increase your chances of successful recovery.
At our schizoaffective disorder treatment place, you’ll also have access to 24-hour nursing care in a relaxing, supportive atmosphere. This will allow you to avoid the distractions of daily life and focus all your attention on what’s most important: your health.
Therapies Used in Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment
At Glenwood Behavioral Health Hospital, we understand that schizoaffective disorder affects everyone in a unique way. That’s why we take into account your individual life experiences when determining the best course of care and your personalized schizoaffective disorder treatment plan.
Your programming schedule with us will include an array of therapeutic interventions that are designed to help you manage your schizoaffective disorder signs and symptoms and start working toward recovery. Some of these may include:
- Multiple types of group therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Activities therapy
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy
If schizoaffective disorder is impacting your ability to get the most out of life, you deserve treatment that can show you the best path forward. With treatment from the professional experts at Glenwood Behavioral Health Hospital, you’ll find that your journey to brighter days is well worth the effort.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Glenwood Behavioral Health Hospital.