Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of two mental health conditions: schizophrenia and a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder or depression. The comorbidity of the two means that individuals often have to handle not only mood swings from mood disorders but psychotic symptoms due to schizophrenia. This may feel overwhelming, and it can be difficult to find a stable balance between the two. Here are a few things that can help:
Reach Out for Mental Health Treatment
If you already have a diagnosis for schizoaffective disorder, reach out to a mental health provider like those of us at Rivia Mind about mental health treatment. If you don’t have a diagnosis, but you believe you might have schizoaffective disorder, reach out for an evaluation. Schizoaffective disorder can be a heavy thing to handle alone. A psychiatrist or therapist can offer you the support you need.
There are two main treatments for schizoaffective disorder that mental health providers can offer: therapy and medication management. Through therapy, you can work with your provider to learn more about your vulnerabilities and triggers and come up with coping strategies and goals. With prescription medication, you can manage and reduce your symptoms by altering the chemical imbalance that impacts schizoaffective disorder. Both can be very effective when it comes to managing both mood swings and psychotic symptoms, especially when used together.
Know Your Triggers and Vulnerabilities
With both psychotic symptoms and mood swings, there are typically triggers that lead to an onset, as well as vulnerability factors that might make those triggers hit a little harder. But if you don’t know what your triggers and vulnerabilities are, it can be hard to predict and therefore take care of yourself. Consider tracking your symptoms and what triggered them throughout the day. Some common vulnerability factors include:
- Poor diet
- Lack of sleep
- Stress at work or in a relationship
- Menstrual cycle or other health factors
- Certain mind altering substances
Stress tends to heighten both mood swings and psychotic symptoms, so know what tends to cause stress in your life. The more you’re aware of these things, the better you can care for yourself.
Check In With Your Psychiatrist
Even using prescription medication to treat your schizoaffective disorder symptoms, it may take some time to find the right medication or the right dosage of that medication. If you find that the medication you’re on isn’t very effective at managing your symptoms, talk to your psychiatrist. They may adjust the dosage or help you find a medication that does work for you. On the other hand, if you find that you’re experiencing distracting side effects from your medication, this could also be something that you can adjust or work out with your psychiatrist.
Don’t Play the Comparison Game
Comparing yourself to others is not only harmful to your self-esteem, it’s ineffective. When you compare yourself to someone who doesn’t have schizoaffective disorder, you fail to take into account the unique barriers and challenges you face that they don’t. But even among those who have schizoaffective disorder, every case is different. Don’t dismiss your symptoms because they’re “not as bad” as someone else’s, and don’t beat yourself up for struggling with something that others don’t struggle with. Just do the best you can, and be kind to yourself if you’re going at a different pace.
Set Boundaries
When you know what your vulnerability factors and triggers are, you can know how to protect your peace and manage your symptoms. But this can be difficult when others in your life may inadvertently put you in vulnerable or triggering positions. This is where it can be important to set boundaries. For instance, if you know that drinking often leads to an episode for you, you may have to let your friends know that you can’t go out with them if there will be drinking. Or that you might not be able to be present in the room for certain discussions. These boundaries may be difficult to set at first, but caring friends will respect them.
Develop Coping Strategies
You may already have coping strategies that you naturally gravitate towards. Some may be less healthy than others. Talk about these with your therapist and make a plan for coping strategies that you can employ, both when you experience sharp mood swings or psychotic symptoms. This plan will involve learning to recognize your symptoms coming on and figuring out what strategies would best help you manage those symptoms. Coping strategies may not make your symptoms disappear, but they can help to keep you from spiraling or catastrophizing.
Don’t Isolate
Everyone needs support. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t spend any time alone, as this can be valuable, too. But it’s important not to isolate when you feel mood swings or psychotic symptoms coming on. If you don’t feel comfortable reaching out to your friends or family in the midst of these symptoms, consider calling a helpline or asking your mental healthcare provider if you can move up your next appointment. There is no weakness in relying on others, and you may just be reminded of the skills you already have to manage your symptoms.
Take Care of Yourself Physically
Your physical health and mental health are entwined. If your physical health suffers, you’ll likely feel more stressed or depressed. Make sure you get enough sleep each night, or as many nights as you can help it. Try to eat nutritiously, focusing less on depriving yourself of certain foods and more on taking in the foods and nutrients you need. Exercise can also help you to channel any stress that might be building up and release endorphins to help you feel more stable and balanced.
Need support as you aim to find balance between the vast symptoms of schizoaffective disorder? Rivia Mind is here to help. Contact Rivia Mind today to learn more or to find a provider.
