Residential Treatment Centers for Schizoaffective Disorder

Residential Treatment Centers for Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective disorder is a complex, chronic mental illness that involves both symptoms of schizophrenia and affective, or mood, disorders.  Because of the range of severity and specific features of the individual’s version of schizoaffective disorder, symptoms may be confused with bipolar disorder.  This is due to the presence of both depressive and manic expressions.  But these symptoms combined with psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, help define and diagnose schizoaffective disorder.

Living with this serious mental health disorder is marked with problematic interpersonal skills, leading to difficulty holding a job or remaining in a relationship.  During relapses, symptoms can be so extreme that the individuals cannot function in daily activities, including taking care of themselves.  For these severe episodes, residential treatment centers for schizoaffective disorder may be the best level of care.

Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective disorder is a fairly rare mental illness, afflicting about 0.3% of the U.S. population, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  Because an individual with schizoaffective disorder can have either the bipolar disorder or depression type, the symptoms expressed will differ.  For example, while the psychotic symptoms will be consistent regardless, although at varying intensity depending on each individual case, the accompanying mood disorder will dictate the other symptoms, either periods of manic or depressive behavior (bipolar disorder) or episodes of depression.

The symptoms will likely include:

• Delusions:  Holding fixed, false beliefs even in light of evidence that negates them
• Hallucinations:  Seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Impaired communication:  Difficulty in holding a conversation, repeatedly changing topics, partially answering questions or answering with unrelated topic material

In addition to the above symptoms, the individual may present with symptoms of schizoaffective with bipolar type:

• Manic behavior:  Bursts of euphoria, sudden increase in energy, racing thoughts, risky behavior, impulsivity
• Depressed mood:  These episodes alternative with the manic episodes and include feelings of worthlessness, despair, sadness, emptiness

When the individual has the depressive type of schizoaffective disorder they will exhibit the psychotic elements plus the symptoms of depressed mood listed above.

How Residential Treatment Centers for Schizoaffective Disorder Can Help

For many, long-term treatment using a combination of medications, such as anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants, with psychotherapy can adequately manage symptoms of schizoaffective disorder.  However, there may be cases so severe that hospitalization or residential care is appropriate.  The need for inpatient care occurs when the individual becomes a danger to themselves or others, or the existing treatment is not successfully managing symptoms.

A residential treatment center for schizoaffective disorder can provide a safe respite from outside stressors, allowing for healing in a calm environment.  The trained mental health professionals are accustomed to the needs of patients with this disorder, and can provide the targeted therapy needed to stabilize the individual’s symptoms.  Medications will be reviewed and adjusted as deemed necessary as well.  

Therapies for schizoaffective disorder include traditional psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral therapy in both individual and group settings.  In addition, recreational therapy, nutrition and wellness counseling, various adjunct holistic therapies, such as art therapy and mindfulness training, as well as life skills training round out the comprehensive approach to treatment.

Residential Treatment Centers for Schizoaffective Disorder

The Treatment Specialist will connect you with a treatment center to help you or a loved one is suffering from schizoaffective disorder.  The highly experienced team of specialists will guide you or your loved one by answering your questions, providing an initial telephone assessment, and conducting a free insurance check.  If you or a loved one has severe symptoms of schizoaffective disorder call to speak to a Treatment Specialist today at (866) 644-7911.