Schizoaffective Disorder

People who experience both symptoms of schizophrenia and a mood disorder may have a condition called schizoaffective disorder. This condition is rare, but it can be effectively treated. At Rubicon Mental Health Center, we provide outpatient treatment for people with mental health disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, in Watchung, New Jersey.

We serve individuals from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York with an evidence-based, whole-person approach that addresses emotional, psychological, and behavioral needs. Learn more about schizoaffective disorder and see how our outpatient treatment can help you achieve lasting stability.

Key Takeaways

• Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by symptoms of schizophrenia (delusions and hallucinations) and symptoms of a mood disorder (manic or depressive episodes).
• Schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia share psychotic symptoms, but schizoaffective disorder also involves prolonged mood episodes while schizophrenia does not.
• Diagnosing schizoaffective disorder involves a thorough clinical assessment that compares symptoms to specific clinical criteria and rules out other potential causes.
• Treating schizoaffective disorder generally involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and lifestyle support.
• Rubicon Mental Health Center provides comprehensive outpatient treatment for people with schizoaffective disorder in Watchung, NJ.

What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health disorder that is marked by symptoms of schizophrenia, such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking, as well as symptoms of a mood disorder, such as mania and depression. Since it combines characteristics of psychotic and mood disorders, schizoaffective disorder is considered a hybrid disorder.

There are two main types of schizoaffective disorder, which are characterized by the type of mood disorder that accompanies the schizophrenia symptoms. They include:

• Bipolar type: This type is marked by episodes of mania, which cause intense high emotions, increased energy, and reckless behavior. It can also include episodes of major depression.
• Depressive type: This type is characterized by major depressive episodes only, without any manic episodes. Symptoms can include persistent sadness, hopelessness, fatigue, and a loss of interest in daily activities.

People with schizoaffective disorder also often deal with cognitive and functional struggles, such as memory issues, social withdrawal, and challenges completing daily tasks. Since schizoaffective disorder can present like both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, many patients are incorrectly diagnosed with these conditions over schizoaffective disorder. A correct diagnosis is essential to properly treating the condition.

How Is It Different from Schizophrenia?

Both schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia share psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations. However, the main difference between the two is the presence of mood disturbances alongside psychotic symptoms.

What Are the Causes and Risk Factors of Schizoaffective Disorder?

As is the case with many mental health conditions, there isn’t a single cause of schizoaffective disorder. Instead, research suggests it is due to a mix of genetic, biological, and environmental factors that can increase a person’s vulnerability to developing it. They include:

• Genetics: Heredity plays a big part in vulnerability. People with a first-degree relative who has schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder are at a considerably higher risk of developing schizoaffective disorder themselves.
• Brain chemistry and structure: Individuals with imbalances in neurotransmitters and structural abnormalities in the hippocampus and thalamus have impacted brain function that may contribute to the development of the disorder.
• Severe stress or trauma: When people are genetically vulnerable to schizoaffective disorder, high levels of chronic stress or traumatic events can trigger or aggravate symptoms.
• Substance use: Using mind-altering drugs like cocaine or amphetamines can lead to psychotic episodes and significantly worsen schizoaffective disorder symptoms. Using cannabis heavily during adolescence is also linked to a higher risk of developing psychotic disorders like schizoaffective disorder.
• Prenatal complications: Complications during birth or exposure to malnutrition or viral illnesses in the womb can affect healthy brain development and increase long-term risk of developing the condition.

Having one or more of these risk factors does not automatically mean a person will develop schizoaffective disorder, but it can increase their vulnerability to it.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Schizoaffective Disorder?

Schizoaffective disorder can be challenging to diagnose because symptoms of both schizophrenia and mood disorders are present. Additionally, there isn’t a definitive brain scan or blood test that can be used to diagnose the disorder. Therefore, mental health professionals determine a diagnosis through a comprehensive clinical assessment. It may include:

• Clinical interview: The mental health professional will take the patient’s medical and family history, ask about their symptoms and behavior, and evaluate their overall mental status. Since schizoaffective disorder can affect a person’s self-reporting, the professional may interview family members or friends for additional insight into the patient’s symptoms.
• Medical evaluation: The doctor will perform a physical exam and may order lab tests or imaging studies to rule out other potential causes of the patient’s symptoms, such as brain tumors or thyroid conditions.
• Diagnostic criteria: A person must meet specific criteria to be formally diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. The criteria include a prolonged period where the patient experiences a major mood episode and symptoms of schizophrenia simultaneously. It also includes psychotic symptoms for two or more weeks without a major mood episode and that mood episodes are present for the majority of the illness.

Using the information gathered during the diagnostic process, the mental health professional can confirm or rule out a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.

How Outpatient Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment Works at Rubicon Mental Health Center

Once schizoaffective disorder is diagnosed, getting treatment is a high priority. If schizoaffective disorder is left untreated, it can lead to worsening symptoms, increased functional impairment, a greater risk of hospitalization, and a lower quality of life. Seeking prompt treatment can significantly improve the prognosis.

At Rubicon Mental Health Center, we specialize in providing outpatient treatment for patients with schizoaffective disorder and other mental health conditions. We offer three levels of care to accommodate patients with various degrees of need. They include:

• Adult Partial Care program (APC), also known as Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP):This is our most intensive program, which runs for six hours a day, five days per week. It lasts anywhere from 30 to 45 days.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP):This program is a middle ground between PHP and OP. It runs for three hours a day, with patients attending sessions for a minimum of three days per week, but they can attend for up to five. It lasts around 10 to 12 weeks.
• Outpatient Program (OP):This is our least intensive program, which runs for one hour a day, two to three days a week. The program length depends on several factors, but it generally lasts for several months.

When a patient comes for treatment, they undergo a comprehensive clinical assessment to help our team of master’s-level mental health professionals gauge the level of support they need. The team will then develop a personalized treatment plan, which typically includes a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and support services.

What Therapy Modalities Are Used?

Schizoaffective disorder is most effectively treated using a mix of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle support. At Rubicon Mental Health Center, treatment plans may include a variety of therapies and modalities to provide evidence-based, holistic care. They include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a type of talk therapy that helps patients detect negative thought patterns, challenge paranoid beliefs, and develop reality-testing skills to help them when psychotic symptoms arise.
• Family therapy: This is another type of talk therapy that involves the patient’s family members to help them understand the condition, reducing stigma and fostering a supportive home environment.

Alongside psychotherapy, treatment also often involves coordinated care, such as job skills training and case management. Self-management techniques are also used to help the individual develop a consistent sleep schedule, avoid substance use, and make other helpful lifestyle changes. We provide various support services, including pre-vocational assistance, case management, and more, to help patients with schizoaffective disorder restore stability and improve their quality of life.

Medication Management

Medication is the basis of schizoaffective treatment, and it is generally needed long-term to control symptoms and prevent relapses. Medications used may include antipsychotics for psychotic symptoms and mood stabilizers or antidepressants for mood symptoms. At Rubicon Mental Health Center, we provide medication management services to help patients get their dosages correct and manage side effects. Our team can also adjust the medications as needed.

When Is Outpatient Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment the Right Fit?

If you’re dealing with schizoaffective disorder, you may be wondering if outpatient treatment is the right option for your needs. It may be ideal if:

• You’ve recently been discharged from an inpatient program and are looking for support during the transition
• Your symptoms are stable and you aren’t at risk of hurting yourself or others
• You can manage your everyday needs at home without 24/7 monitoring

Outpatient care is generally not recommended if a person is experiencing severe episodes of psychosis or if they pose a danger to themselves or others. If they struggle to care for themselves or have safety risks, inpatient care is generally the better option.

Co-Occurring Conditions

Many patients with schizoaffective disorder also have another mental health disorder or a substance use disorder (SUD). When these disorders occur simultaneously, they are called co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders often have overlapping symptoms that can complicate treatment.

Co-occurring disorders require specialized, integrated treatment to prevent conflicting information and improve overall treatment outcomes. At Rubicon Mental Health Center, we provide dual diagnosis treatment with our sister center, Rubicon Recovery Center. This helps us address the whole patient and their needs with a unified treatment plan from a single care team.

Insurance and Admissions

Cost and insurance coverage are often important factors in determining the accessibility of mental health treatment. Although treatment can be costly, it is usually at least partially covered by insurance under federal mental health parity laws. These laws require that insurance plans cover mental health conditions at the same level as physical health conditions. However, how much is covered will depend on your specific insurance provider, plan, and benefits.

At Rubicon Mental Health Center, we accept most major private insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and more. We offer a convenient insurance verification process that can help you understand your coverage and how much you may have to pay out-of-pocket. Simply contact our Admissions Department at admissions@rubiconbhc.com to get started.

Find Outpatient Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment Near You in NJ, PA, & NY

If you are dealing with schizoaffective disorder, treatment is available that can help you restore balance, stabilize your moods, and improve your overall quality of life. At Rubicon Mental Health Center, we provide three levels of outpatient care, serving individuals from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. These programs are based on a threefold disease model that considers physical, mental, and spiritual health to treat the whole person.

Here, wellness is just a phone call away, and we’re here for you 24/7. To learn more about our outpatient schizoaffective disorder treatment near you in Watchung, NJ, call (908) 678-1870 or contact us online today.