Schizoaffective disorder is a serious mental disorder, which, however, is much milder than schizophrenia. It is characterized by problems with sleep, appetite, auditory hallucinations, anxiety and suicide attempts, as well as symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic or depressive states). Quite often it manifests itself against the background of drug or alcohol abuse. Treatment of schizoaffective disorder in Israel is carried out using psychotherapy, new generation pharmacological drugs, as well as additional psychotherapeutic techniques.
Schizoaffective disorder is a chronic psychotic illness on the schizophrenia spectrum. At the same time, schizoaffective disorder has several characteristic clinical differences; this disease also differs in the methods of psychotherapy used and the drug treatment regimen.
First, the differences between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia are the presence of conditions that can be defined as mood disorders (depressive or manic), which are most characteristic of manic-depressive psychosis. However, to make a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, a history of at least one proven psychotic episode without the presence of a severe mood disorder is necessary.
As a rule, the prognosis for this disease is more benign than most cases of schizophrenia; patients remain able to work longer and have longer periods of remission.
Drug treatment of schizoaffective disorder includes not only antipsychotic drugs, as in schizophrenia, but also normative, often antidepressants.
The main symptoms of this disease are:
• rapid speech, which is accompanied by swallowing of the endings of words;
• lack of logic in behavior - in particular, the patient may suddenly laugh or cry in a situation inappropriate for emotions;
• delirium;
• suicidal thoughts;
• the appearance of auditory hallucinations, an inner voice that conducts dialogues with the patient;
• poor concentration;
• laziness, apathy;
• sleep problems;
• problems with appetite.
In men, schizoaffective disorder occurs less frequently than in women, but it is more acute. Often occurs against the background of alcohol or various psychoactive substances abuse. The first episode of the disease can appear at any age, most often before 30 years of age.
Schizoaffective disorder is much more common in women than in men. The main reason for this phenomenon is that women are more susceptible to hormonal changes, they are more emotional and react more sharply to stress and traumatic events.
In men, the course of schizoaffective disorder can be characterized by the following features:
• high tolerance to drug treatment;
• symptoms may occur in adolescence, at 13-16 years of age;
• the disease seriously affects performance;
• schizoaffective disorder can provoke the development of addiction (alcohol, drugs);
• the disease has a negative impact on the volitional sphere.
In women, schizoaffective disorder has the following characteristics:
• women respond faster to drug treatment;
• symptoms can manifest as strong affects (depressive or manic);
• social adaptation in women is more successful;
• performance suffers slightly;
• it is easier for women to control the volitional sphere and build personal relationships.
Schizoaffective disorder often begins in adolescence, usually around age 16. The trigger is a hormonal imbalance against the background of stressful and traumatic situations. The disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:
• delusional ideas;
• depression;
• hallucinations (usually auditory);
• tendency to addiction;
• psychoses.
The disorder can begin sluggishly, the teenager becomes withdrawn, aggressive, he does not have good relationships with peers, he is carried away by super ideas, religion, academic performance falls, elements of destructive behavior appear - addiction to tobacco, alcohol or drugs, gambling addiction. The most pronounced manifestation of the disease is usually characterized by a psychotic episode.
Schizoaffective disorder, or F25 according to ICD 10, must be correctly diagnosed. To make a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, there must be a history of at least one proven psychotic episode without significant mood disturbance.
The diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is made if a group of criteria are met:
• Symptoms of a mood disorder are present.
• At least one of the following symptoms has been present for at least two weeks: auditory hallucinations, sensations of telepathy, delusions of influence or control, neologisms or intermittent speech, catatonic symptoms.
• During an exacerbation, symptoms of schizophrenia and affective disorders are present simultaneously.
• The use of psychotropic substances and organic brain damage are excluded.
Among diseases of this type, the most common is schizoaffective disorder of the depressive type, the clinical picture of which includes at least two symptoms of depression: weakness, loss of strength, a feeling of uselessness and uselessness, appetite disturbance, sleep disorder, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, guilt, thoughts about death or suicide.
The difficulty of diagnosis lies in the varied symptomatic picture. To make a correct diagnosis, doctors at a private clinic in Israel conduct a thorough examination of the patient, collect anamnesis, identify the symptoms of the disease, based on which they conclude about the presence or absence of a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder - depressive type, manic or mixed.
As a rule, the prognosis for schizoaffective personality disorder is more benign than most cases of schizophrenia, patients remain able to work longer, and periods of remission are longer. Among the types of schizoaffective disorder, the longest course and the least favorable prognosis are in schizoaffective disorders of the depressive type, which, in the absence of proper treatment, tend to develop into schizophrenia.
There is no single treatment method for schizoaffective disorder; it is associated with many manifestations of the disease. Doctors at the «IsraŠ”linic» psychiatric clinic determine treatment tactics depending on the individual manifestations of the disease in a particular patient. Treatment is usually carried out on an outpatient basis.
Drug treatment of schizoaffective disorder includes not only antipsychotic drugs as for schizophrenia, but also mood stabilizers, often antidepressants.
In addition to drug treatment, the «IsraŠ”linic» uses various types of psychotherapy to treat the disease, aimed at improving social skills and interpersonal relationships, and managing the symptoms of the disease.
Schizoaffective disorders are in many ways similar in nature to schizophrenia; in addition, over time, some types of this disease tend to develop into schizophrenia. This disorder has one characteristic feature - the patient may experience remission periods, which may be longer than with schizophrenia. However, as time passes, symptoms may return.
Experts recommend constant monitoring by a psychiatrist, especially when there is a risk of relapse - in the spring and autumn. In general, patients are recommended to receive supportive drug treatment, in particular, antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotics can be used. A course of psychotherapy is also prescribed: sessions with a psychotherapist can improve the patient’s communication skills and overall psychological well-being.
If the slightest symptoms of schizoaffective disorder appear, it is necessary to consult a specialist - it is much easier to stop the manifestations of the disease at the very beginning, in addition, the prognosis with early detection is much more favorable.