When you first receive a diagnosis for schizoaffective disorder, it may feel as though your world has changed. On the other hand, it may feel like a relief — finally being able to put a name to the symptoms you’ve lived with for so long. One thing is certain: you are bound to have questions about what to do next.
Schizoaffective disorder impacts just .3% of Americans,1 and the combination of stigma and intense symptoms may make it feel understandably daunting. But the truth is that with the right treatments, schizoaffective symptoms can be managed just as with any other mental health disorder.
What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?
Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of schizophrenia — a brain disorder characterized by hallucinations and delusions — and a mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. When experienced concurrently, patients may experience drastic changes in mood, thought, or behaviors. You may experience high manic episodes and low depressive episodes, as well as delusions and hallucinations. These symptoms can worsen in times of stress.
Key Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder
Since schizoaffective disorder is a combination of different types of disorders, symptoms can be rather complex. Some of the key symptoms of schizoaffective disorder include:
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Disorganized speech and thinking patterns
- Bizarre behavior
- Feelings of emptiness, sadness, or worthlessness
- Manic episodes, including needing less sleep and having a severe spike of energy
- Difficulty functioning in social settings
- Difficulty feeling motivated to manage personal hygiene
If you experience some of these symptoms of schizoaffective disorder, reach out to a mental health professional for an assessment as well as next steps.
Treatment Options for Schizoaffective Disorder
Like many mental health disorders, schizoaffective disorder has two potential treatment options: therapy and medication management. However, because of the symptoms of delusions and hallucinations — as well as severe mood swings, it is often recommended to take medication along with therapy or to take medication as primary treatment.
You may be prescribed one medication or multiple medications for schizoaffective disorder. When you meet with a psychiatrist, you will be prescribed medication or multiple medications. You will then check back in after a month to discuss any changes — good or bad — that you’ve experienced from the medication. If you experience severe side effects or a problem, you can also call your psychiatrist beforehand. After the initial check-in, you may check back in with your psychiatrist monthly or quarterly to discuss the regulation of your symptoms.
So what medications are available for those with schizoaffective disorder? These include:
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotic medications work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. In doing so, they can reduce instances of delusions, hallucinations, or mania. Antipsychotic medication is often prescribed for schizophrenia and can be prescribed for schizoaffective disorder. There is also paliperidone (Invega), an FDA approved medication specifically designed for schizoaffective disorder.
Others include:
- Haloperidol (Dozic, Haldol, Haldol decanoate, Serenace)
- Olanzapine (Zalasta, Zyprexa, ZypAdhera)
- Quetiapine (Atrolak, Biquelle, Ebesque, Seroquel, Tenprolide, Zaluron)
- Risperidone (Risperdal, Risperdal Consta)
Side effects of antipsychotics are rare and often mild, but may include: dizziness, dry mouth, muscle stiffness, tremors, drowsiness, or headaches. The side effects are often far underscored by the benefits of taking antipsychotics, but it’s a good idea to talk to your psychiatrist if you experience side effects from antipsychotics. This could mean that it’s time to change your dosage.
Mood Stabilizers
Mood stabilizers focus on the neurotransmitters that impact the drastic changes in your mood as can often occur with schizoaffective disorder. The goal of these medications is to somewhat lower the highs and somewhat heighten the lows, giving you a more balanced experience of emotions. These may include:
- Lithium carbonate (Camcoult, Liskonum, Priadel)
- Lithium citrate (Li-Liquid, Priadel)
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- Valproate (Depakote, Epilim)
Like antipsychotics, mood stabilizers tend to have low risks of serious side effects. If you notice side effects after being prescribed mood stabilizers, it may be an indication of a change in dosage that’s needed. It could also be that your body needs time to adjust to the medication. Some side effects may include: nausea, drowsiness, weight gain, diarrhea, rashes, or difficulty concentrating.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can be prescribed to manage the lows of schizoaffective disorder, especially in instances where depression is the mood disorder giving you trouble. Antidepressants help to increase levels of serotonin in your mind, giving you better focus and an overall better mood. These are typically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), including:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
- Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
Side effects of antidepressants may include headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, weight gain, or sweating. As always, speak to your psychiatrist about potential side effects and check in with them on your body’s responses to your medication. With a good psychiatrist, you may be able to mitigate side effects while still enjoying the benefits of reduced symptoms.
Rivia Mind is here to help when you need treatment for schizoaffective disorder. Contact us to learn more about what our skilled and compassionate clinicians can do for you, or schedule an appointment with a provider today.
Resources:
- Schizoaffective Disorder – Facts Sheet – Yale Medicine
