Schizoaffective Disorder
Home » What We Treat » Thought Disorders » Schizoaffective Disorder
What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?
Schizoaffective disorder generally exhibits similar symptoms to schizophrenia, often leading to a misdiagnosis. Although individuals with this mental health disorder experience hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and delusions just as those with schizophrenia do, there are key differences between the two mental health disorders.
The critical difference between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia is the presence of a mood disorder along with thought disorder symptoms. Individuals with schizoaffective disorder experience symptoms of a mood disorder, which results in two variants of the disorder:
Unlike schizophrenia, those with schizoaffective disorder experience symptoms of mood disorders for extended durations. Additionally, psychotic symptoms tend to occur in shorter episodes than those associated with schizophrenia. Although the conditions are very similar, they each require specialized attention and treatment.
What Causes Schizoaffective Disorder?
- Brain structure and chemistry
- Stress and trauma
- Drug abuse
- Genetics
Schizoaffective Disorder and Substance Use Disorder
Individuals with mental health disorders, such as schizoaffective disorder, often struggle with co-occurring substance use disorders. Often, when mental health disorders go without a diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, individuals rely on addictive substances to calm their minds.
Treatment For Schizoaffective Disorder
An individual can learn to manage the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder successfully, however, the treatment must be individualized considering the person’s history, motivation, and response to suggestions. At Lifeskills, we treat schizoaffective disorder using our Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) Pathway.
The CRT Pathway is used to treat clients with thought disorders that are experiencing cognitive deficits including problems with attention, memory, processing speed, facial recognition, and other social deficits. The pathway uses BrainHQ which is a computer-based cognitive rehabilitation training program that helps people think more clearly and quickly. Using brain games and interpersonal skills groups, the pathway helps clients improve their attention, memory, problem-solving, organizational, and planning skills. Our CRT Pathway also uses other types of therapy, psychoeducation, and medications to help stop the cognitive decline and in some instances reverse it.
Interested in learning more about Lifeskills treatment for schizoaffective disorder?
Call us at 866.321.9430 or fill out our contact form.
