Schizoaffective Disorder Care at Treat Mental Health

Understanding Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective Disorder is a serious mental condition that manifests itself in mood disturbances and psychosis. It will change the way a person thinks, speaks, and behaves, causing them problems in personal relationships and professional life. Do not confuse Schizoaffective Disorder with Schizophrenia – if you are wondering: “Schizoaffective Disorder vs Schizophrenia: what is the difference?”, the former illness is considered to be more severe since it manifests in episodes of depression as well as disorganized thoughts. If you are thinking about getting treatment for the symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder that interfere with your daily life, contact Treat Mental Health without delay. Our mental facility specializes in helping patients with diverse mental health conditions – we can find a way to teach you how to manage the signs of Schizoaffective Disorder and build a healthier future for your own sake and for your family.

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What Causes Schizoaffective Disorder?

Although scientists are still studying Schizoaffective Disorder to understand what factors lead to its development, there are four likely causes for this condition to emerge:

Childhood abuse leaves its mark on a person even after they no longer live at home and become an independent adult safe from any harm. Whether you were physically abused by your parents, neglected by your relatives, or experienced the loss of a parent or sibling when you were a young kid, any kind of intense stress is dangerous for a child’s brain - there are more risk factors for you to suffer from a mental condition during adolescence and adulthood.
Traumatic incidents can easily contribute to the development of a mood disorder or mental illness. If you survived a car crash, have been harassed or bullied, dealt with domestic abuse, or had to cope with financial issues caused by unemployment or homelessness, the odds of you getting a Schizoaffective Disorder diagnosis grow.
It has been noted that an individual whose family member has been diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, or Schizophrenia has a higher chance of getting the same diagnosis later in life. Although there is not a particular gene that causes the condition, the connection between these cannot be ignored.
Brain structure plays a significant role when it comes to the development of the condition - there are certain abnormalities in the structure and size of brain anatomy such as white matter and hippocampus that may affect the severity of symptoms the person must deal with.

Recognizing the Signs of Schizoaffective Disorder

If you suspect you may have Schizoaffective Disorder or you think someone you are close to has been acting weird lately, be on the lookout for the following Schizoaffective Disorder symptoms before seeking professional help:

Mood Fluctuations

Occasional mood swings should not worry anyone – it is normal to feel happy or sad, depending on

any internal or external factors. However, if your mood changes rapidly every day, you lash out at other people, you are extremely critical of yourself, your emotions, and your appearance, and your anger and frustration cause you to miss on opportunities you would love to use, it may be the cause for serious concern.

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Depression

A symptom common for people diagnosed with the depressive type of Schizoaffective Disorder,

depression affects both the mental and physical state of an individual – they feel constantly sad, hopeless, and frustrated, sleep either too long or not enough, and may even exhibit suicidal ideations on a very bad day.

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Social Withdrawal

Spending time on your own is natural – healthy even; but if you self-isolate from society, say no

to every attempt of your family members and friends to invite you to participate in activities you used to enjoy, or cut contact with everyone to the detriment of your psyche, this may indicate the presence of Schizoaffective Disorder. Stay in touch with people who care about you – prolonged loneliness will damage your mental health and physical well-being.

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Mood Fluctuations

Occasional mood swings should not worry anyone – it is normal to feel happy or sad,

depending on any internal or external factors. However, if your mood changes rapidly every day, you lash out at other people, you are extremely critical of yourself, your emotions, and your appearance, and your anger and frustration cause you to miss on opportunities you would love to use, it may be the cause for serious concern.

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Depression

A symptom common for people diagnosed with the depressive type of Schizoaffective

Disorder, depression affects both the mental and physical state of an individual – they feel constantly sad, hopeless, and frustrated, sleep either too long or not enough, and may even exhibit suicidal ideations on a very bad day.

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Social Withdrawal

Spending time on your own is natural – healthy even; but if you self-isolate from

society, say no to every attempt of your family members and friends to invite you to participate in activities you used to enjoy, or cut contact with everyone to the detriment of your psyche, this may indicate the presence of Schizoaffective Disorder. Stay in touch with people who care about you – prolonged loneliness will damage your mental health and physical well-being.

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Hallucinations

If you see things that are not there, hear voices in your head while you are alone in a room, or

experience tactile sensations that do not exist in reality, it means you are experiencing hallucinations – one of the scariest symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder. Whether you are the only one to notice the weird behavior you have exhibited or others pointed out how strange you have been lately, this sign alone is enough to seek professional treatment.

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Manic Behavior

This symptom is typical for the bipolar type of Schizoaffective Disorder. A person will feel

extremely active and energetic, think and talk quickly, feel very confident about themselves and the way they are perceived by others, as well as sleep less than they used to without feeling exhausted.

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Poor Hygiene

A person with a Schizoaffective Disorder diagnosis often stops caring about their hygiene and

appearance – while it starts with them wearing dirty clothes or not washing their hair, the situation escalates quickly. For days and weeks the individual in question will forget to brush their teeth, use deodorant, take a shower, or change their underwear – they no longer worry about the deterioration of their looks even if they continue to socialize with people.

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Hallucinations

If you see things that are not there, hear voices in your head while you are alone in a

room, or experience tactile sensations that do not exist in reality, it means you are experiencing hallucinations – one of the scariest symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder. Whether you are the only one to notice the weird behavior you have exhibited or others pointed out how strange you have been lately, this sign alone is enough to seek professional treatment.

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Manic Behavior

This symptom is typical for the bipolar type of Schizoaffective Disorder. A person will feel

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Poor Hygiene

A person with a Schizoaffective Disorder diagnosis often stops caring about their

hygiene and appearance – while it starts with them wearing dirty clothes or not washing their hair, the situation escalates quickly. For days and weeks the individual in question will forget to brush their teeth, use deodorant, take a shower, or change their underwear – they no longer worry about the deterioration of their looks even if they continue to socialize with people.

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Treatment Approaches for Schizoaffective Disorder at Treat Mental Health

Before you start treatment at our facility, we will examine your mental and physical health to understand what therapeutic approach will work best for you – here is a brief outline of the treatment we offer at our facility:

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Individual Therapy

In order to figure out how to help you both short- and long-term, you need to build a rapport with a qualified therapist – the latter will listen to your story without judgment, evaluate your current mental state, and offer techniques and practices that will make you calmer and more emotionally stable no matter how hard mania and depression try to ruin your mood.

Group Counseling

Research has shown that people with Schizoaffective Disorder respond to treatment better if they are not alone in their fight. Join a support group and meet your peers with the same or similar mental health condition – you will have an opportunity to relate to other people and help them as well; besides, making new friends in therapy can be highly beneficial for your mental wellness.

Cognitive Restructuring

This type of therapy can play a major role in Schizoaffective Disorder treatment – a patient will learn how to identify harmful thought patterns, challenge them, prevent negativity from impacting their perception of reality and relationships with others, and focus on positivity and mindfulness.

Prescription Medication

Depending on the severity of symptoms a patient experiences, their doctor will prescribe Schizoaffective Disorder medication to decrease the manifestations of the disorder. The most common medicines are antidepressants to lessen the hopelessness and sadness, antipsychotics to get rid of hallucinations, and mood stabilizers to improve the mood.

Why Choose Treat Mental Health?

Experienced Therapists

For many years our specialists have been supporting patients with different symptoms and concerns – we know how to guide a person to wellness, treat them with compassion, and establish an emotional connection between the patient and the therapist in order to achieve the therapy goals the individual sets for themselves.

Tailored Treatment Plans

Instead of applying the same techniques and strategies over and over again, we are going to select the type of therapy that suits your needs – additionally, we will adjust our approach if certain practices do not allow you to reach your therapy goals. Since we offer virtual outpatient treatment, it is easy for our clients to continue their recovery while they also devote their time to their personal and professional obligations.

Patient-Centered Care

The interests of the patients are our main priority – you will work with a therapist you are comfortable with, the counselor you choose will help you deal with Schizoaffective Disorder and other mental health issues you may have, and every client receives attention and respect when they attend the counseling sessions we arrange.

Support of Community

Living with Schizoaffective Disorder and trying to cope with its symptoms on your own is a difficult challenge which is why we will offer you to undergo treatment relying on others – whether you join a support group to relate to your peers and make new friends or we invite your closest family members to a counseling session to help them understand you better, you will get the comprehensive care you deserve.

Struggling With Schizoaffective Disorder? Treat Mental Health Offers Compassionate, Expert Care to Support You Every Step of the Way

Schizoaffective Disorder in adults can be a traumatic experience on its own regardless of the factors that contributed to its development. Even if you have family and friends who support and love you unconditionally, there may be a need for professional help – the symptoms can manifest differently as you are becoming older and experiencing new hardships. Reach out to Treat Mental Health and trust us as you are navigating your condition – put your faith in therapy, and your recovery will have a greater chance of success.

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Stacia Ponce-Rodriguez, LMFT

With 28 years in mental health and addiction care, Stacia specializes in supporting adults through complex challenges. She also teaches at the University of San Francisco, mentoring future therapists. A strong advocate for Telehealth, she blends clinical expertise with a passion for accessible, innovative care.