All mental disorders cause distress for those who live with them, but few conditions are more disruptive than schizoaffective disorder. This chronic mental health condition is relatively rare, impacting only 0.3% of the population. However, for those living with the disorder and the people who love them, schizoaffective disorder can be devastating. Helping patients and families find effective treatment options is a calling for the psychiatric providers at Kee Essentials. Anyone suffering from this condition should seek treatment as soon as possible.
What is schizoaffective disorder?
This grave mental health condition shares commonalities with both schizophrenia and mood disorders. That is partly to blame for the high rate of misdiagnosis that people with schizoaffective disorder face.
Schizoaffective disorder often has one or more of the following symptoms:
- Manic behavior
- Depressive behavior
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Disorganized thinking
Researchers have found that people who suffer from schizoaffective disorder are also at an elevated risk of substance abuse, which is often the result of an attempt to self-medicate.
What are the causes of schizoaffective disorder?
The exact cause of schizoaffective disorder is unknown, but researchers have identified several contributing factors:
Genetics
There is a noted pattern of this disorder in families, which suggests a genetic tendency to develop the condition.
Stress
Researchers and mental health practitioners note that stressful events can trigger the onset of schizoaffective disorder.
Brain chemistry
It appears that the chemistry and the structure of your brain can lead to the development of schizoaffective disorder. Brain scanning technology is advancing this important field of study.
Drug use
Researchers have found a strong link between psychoactive drugs and the eventual development of schizoaffective disorder.
What are the available treatment options for schizoaffective disorder?
There are several treatment approaches that Kee Essentials use to address schizoaffective disorder.
Treatment usually begins with psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy. Family counseling is an important component of care and serves to provide support to the people who live with someone suffering from this disorder.
Medication is also a vital element of treatment; a blend of antipsychotic medications, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants can be effective.
* Please Note: Telepsychiatry may not be appropriate for serious mental illnesses *