Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health concern that features symptoms similar to schizophrenia, along with persistent manic episodes or major depressive episodes.
It can be difficult to diagnose, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) notes that many people are often incorrectly diagnosed at first with either bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
Though it is relatively rare, schizoaffective disorder can wreak havoc on a person’s life if left untreated. But with professional support at a schizoaffective disorder treatment center such as Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, you can manage your symptoms and live a productive, satisfying life.
Signs & Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder
The signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder can vary significantly depending on the person. This may be due to a variety of factors, including which type of mood episode they are currently experiencing.
Some of these signs and symptoms include:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Trouble remembering things
- Inability to coherently express thoughts
- Lack of attention to hygiene, appearance or grooming
- Rapid weight loss or weight gain
- Significant changes in appetite
- Catatonic behavior
- Elevated or diminished energy levels
- Lack of facial expressiveness
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Impaired focus or judgment
- Loss of interest in activities that once provided pleasure
- Engaging in reckless, dangerous behaviors
- Withdrawing from loved ones
It’s important that anyone who displays these signs of schizoaffective disorder seeks help from qualified clinicians at a professional treatment place. At Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital, we will administer a complimentary assessment to help provide an accurate diagnosis and determine if our schizoaffective disorder treatment center is the right place for you.
Schizoaffective Disorder Statistics
Schizoaffective disorder only affects about 0.3% of the population, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The following are some additional statistics about whom schizoaffective disorder tends to impact:
- According to NAMI, the prevalence of schizoaffective disorder is typically the same among men and women.
- Schizoaffective disorder may affect homeless people at a rate 100 times higher than that of the general population, BMC Psychiatry discovered.
- The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) found that approximately 5% of people who have schizoaffective disorder die by suicide.
Potential Schizoaffective Disorder Effects
The negative ramifications of schizoaffective disorder can be wide-ranging. They can undermine a person’s emotional, physical and social well-being, greatly prohibiting them from leading a productive life.
Though not guaranteed, the potential effects of schizoaffective disorder can include:
- Struggles in school or at work
- Inability to find and keep a job
- Difficulty forming and maintaining positive relationships
- Financial distress
- Legal troubles, such as being arrested
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Homelessness
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Onset or worsening of other mental health disorders
- Loss of support among loved ones
- Feelings of hopelessness
Fortunately, schizoaffective disorder is treatable. With the right type and level of care from a qualified schizoaffective disorder treatment place, you can successfully manage your symptoms, reduce the chances of these negative outcomes and enjoy the happier, healthier days that lie ahead.
The Benefits of Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment
Simply receiving an accurate diagnosis is one reason to pursue schizoaffective disorder treatment. For a mental health concern such as schizoaffective disorder that is often misdiagnosed, it’s critically important to understand exactly what you’re facing.
Schizoaffective disorder can leave you feeling confused and empty inside. But you don’t have to carry that sense of hopelessness with you. If you decide to pursue professional help at a schizoaffective disorder treatment place, you’ll work with experts who are well-versed in the uncertainty this mental health disorder often brings.
You’ll also discover that you’re not alone. When you begin your recovery journey at a schizoaffective disorder treatment center, you can learn from other patients who are experiencing the same symptoms. You’ll be able to lean on both the clinicians who are there to help and the patients who share your experiences as you push toward the realization that you can regain control of your health and well-being.
Why Choose Our Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment Center
When you’re looking for a schizoaffective disorder treatment place, it’s important to find one that offers the type and level of care that will most benefit you on your recovery journey.
Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, provides individualized inpatient treatment for adults age 18 and older who are struggling with schizoaffective disorder. Our experienced clinicians help patients who are in a state of crisis achieve stability and begin functioning at a higher level.
By administering an assessment upon your arrival, we’ll gain insight into your medical history, any prior treatment and your individual strengths, needs and goals. All this information will allow us to develop a personalized treatment plan that will give you the best chance to achieve the most favorable outcome.
You’ll also have access to 24-hour nursing care in a supportive and respectful atmosphere. We’ll monitor your progress and help you thrive, setting you up for success in the short term and well into the future.
Therapies Used in Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment
Upon arrival at Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital, you will complete a detailed assessment that will allow us to develop your personalized treatment plan.
Once we analyze that information, we’ll formulate a care plan that may include:
- Group therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Individual therapy
- Medication management
- Family sessions
Our expert clinicians use the latest in evidence-based modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to ensure that our schizoaffective disorder treatment place consistently delivers the most beneficial outcomes.
When your time with us is complete, we’ll provide you with a detailed discharge plan that reflects your progress and sets you up with the resources you need to maintain your healthier trajectory.
You deserve long-term health and happiness. Receiving schizoaffective disorder treatment at Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital can be a significant step toward ensuring that you find them.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital.