The treatment of these disorders depends on the type. Treatment includes medication which is usually started and monitored by a psychiatrist, along with talking therapies. Show
MedicationHow can medication help?
How long will I have to take the medication?
What will happen if I stop the medication?
Types of medication
The effects and side-effects of these medications should be fully explained to you and your carer(s). Talking therapiesCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)People are helped to monitor their thoughts, feelings and actions. The therapist will help you to find out the unhelpful thoughts and behaviours which may be contributing to your distress. These thoughts could be linked to your delusions and your behaviours to your hallucinatory experiences. The therapist will help you to work out helpful ways of thinking and reacting and then to put these positive thoughts and behaviours into real situation. CBT is recommended if you are suffering from psychotic symptoms as it can help you cope with troublesome delusions and hallucinations. It equips you with various coping strategies so that you are able to solve your issues and problems. Family meetingsThis is especially helpful if you live with your family or are in close contact with them. Family therapy will help your family to understand your problems and how best to support you. Supportive Psychotherapy and CounsellingPeople are able to discuss their problems and issues with a professional in detail and gain support from telling your story to someone who will listen. Art TherapySome people may have difficulty talking about their emotions. Art therapy can help you to express your emotions through art. Self-help groupsThis is an opportunity to meet other people with the same illness and to discuss alternative coping strategies, recognising early signs that you may be starting to feel unwell again. What will happen without treatment?The symptoms may get worse and you may have more frequent and longer episodes. There is also a risk of suicide. Community Mental Health ServicesThese services are important in keeping you out of hospital or in managing your gradual return back into the community after being discharged from hospital. Specialist services may be needed including community psychiatric nursing, social services and occupational therapy as well as support in managing your domestic and financial affairs. There are different teams that can support you in the community:
Care Programme Approach (CPA) (England and Wales only)This is a way of making sure that you get the right care and support. You may be given a care co-ordinator who is responsible for organising different parts of your treatment. You will have regular meetings every 6 to 9 months which can include your family or carer(s). A plan will be made about what to do in an emergency, including what has helped in the past. Your plan will be amended at each CPA meeting to take into account what you and your family/carer(s) would like to happen. Self-helpIf you think you are becoming unwell or need help:
Try not to:
What is the best drug for schizoaffective disorder?Antipsychotics. The only medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder is the antipsychotic drug paliperidone (Invega).
What triggers schizoaffective disorder?Rather than a single cause it is generally agreed that schizoaffective disorder is likely to be caused by a combination of factors, such as: stressful life events. childhood trauma. brain chemistry.
Is schizoaffective disorder a serious mental illness?Schizoaffective disorder is a serious mental health condition. It has features of both schizophrenia and a mood (affective) disorder. Schizoaffective symptoms may include symptoms of mania, depression and psychosis.
What is the life expectancy of a schizoaffective?Table 2. |