Schizoaffective Disorder

Question: Schizoaffective Disorder? So, after many years I finally admitted my paranoia to my psychiatrist. That in itself was incredibly hard, but now I'm being thrown the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. I had the diagnoses of bipolar type I and social phobia up until this time. I've been reading up on schizoaffective disorder and it scares me. I'm questioning whether or not I do have schizoaffective disorder or the paranoia is part of my social phobia or something else. I've always attributed my symptoms to my moods, now I'm being told that my mood syptoms overlap with some schizophrenic symptoms - warranting the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. Fristly, does anyone else have a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder? Personal experience stories are much appreciated. Secondly, should I seek a second opinion on this diagnosis? The diagnosis was based upon my paranoia (generally about people always watching my every move) and because I was "hearing things". Not like most people think, I wasn't really hearing like, another person. It's more as if I'm arguing with myself and being too critical of my actions; also periodically I'll experience a strage episode. Almost like I were writing an autobiography. I'm thinking my pdoc got confused with the "hearing voices" bit, I've always thought this to be part of my social phobia. Which I'm pretty sure it is. Also, I don't have any close relatives with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The closest *any* of my relatives with known problems would be my aunt, who had psychotic disorder NOS (disappeared years ago, probably left the country) and my father, who has bipolar type II.

Answer: My partner was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia about 2 years ago, but now this is being changed to anxiety and paranoia. I would definately speak to another doctor, if possible, or even the same one and try to clearly explain what you mean. Unfortunately, as soon as you say 'hearing voices' all the old stereotypes leap up of mad-men and the Devil, but how many of us actually talk to ourselves, think aloud, or run things through our mind? You may just have an acute anxiety, especially in social situations that is linked more to your own self-esteem and confidence. Was there a trigger to all of this? Or is there an aspect of your life that you are over-anxious about? Reading the other responses, I would 100% agree and talk again to a proffessional, but perhpas write down what you want to get acroos first soyou don't become compliant and agree with everything they say.

Question: Is schizoaffective disorder a disability under the social security list of impairments? I have schizoaffective disorder, paranoia, ocd, and im at the hearing level is there anyone out there that was at this level with schizoaffective disorder and got their ssi/ssdi. What did you say or do at the hearing level in front of the administration law judge, and did you get approve or denied. Im am nerous to be in front of the judge, and will he/she ask me any questions.

Answer: When I got in the hearing, it was a small meeting room. At first my attorney asked me some basic questions like my name, address, etc. After a short time, the judge interviewed me and I was very upset by that time. He asked me if I was able to drive an automobile and I said no, I was too afraid to drive. He asked me if I heard voices and I said yes, voices speak to me in times of trouble. They told me to "get out now" so I packed a bag and left my apartment behind. I testified that I saw red snakes floating around me trying to take over my soul. The judge asked me where I lived for the last 3 years since I was disabled and unable to work. I explained that I lived 3 years in homeless shelters waiting for my SSDI to get approved. I started sobbing at the table surrounded by about 5 people also sitting at the large table. The judge jumped up and said "That's it. I've heard enough." and left the courtroom. I knew right away I was approved after 3 long years and 3 denials. My attorney explained to me that the judges actions meant that I would be approved and I was. I got $50,000 backpay from the date I first applied. You definitely need an attorney to win. You don't pay him up front. He takes a percentage of your backpay only if you win. Good Luck to you!

Question: Is there a schizoaffective disorder patient who is cured belonging to tamilnadu is interested in marrying me? Hi,I'm a schizoaffective disorder patient(female) from chennai,Tamilnadu.Is there anybody with the same problem who is undergoing treatment interested in marrying me?

Answer: If we can have lots of Schizoaffective sex, let's get hitched.

Question: How long would medication have to be for someone who has schizoaffective disorder? I have been under medication for almost 3 years now and my psychiatrist says that I would have to take it on a long-term basis. Meanwhile, I attended this seminar where the speaker said medication would be life-time. So, which is really true? Also, how come the medication for bipolar disorder the same as that of schizoaffective disorder? How are these illnesses different from each other?

Answer: Schizoaffective Disorder has two subcategory types, bipolar and depressive. From what I can tell from on-line reading, Bipolar Disorder seems to have a more organized set of symptoms. If you suffer from Bipolar Disorder you would also suffer from a Schizoaffective Disorder because Bipolar Disorder is a subset. Presumably you have the symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder but not the specific symptoms of Bipolar. Ask your psychiatrist but the phrase long-term basis probably means for the rest of your life. These disorders can't be cured (at least not yet) and don't go away. They can be treated though and that's the good news.

Question: What are the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder? What are the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder. 10 point's to best answer. (don't use wikipedia)

Answer: Depression Poor appetite Weight loss or gain Changes in sleeping patterns (sleeping very little or a lot) Agitation (excessive restlessness) Lack of energy Loss of interest in usual activities Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness Guilt or self-blame Inability to think or concentrate Thoughts of death or suicide Mania Increased activity, including work, social and sexual activity Increased and/or rapid talking Rapid or racing thoughts Little need for sleep Agitation Inflated self-esteem Distractibility Self-destructive or dangerous behavior (such as going on spending sprees, driving recklessly or having unsafe sex) Schizophrenia Delusions (strange beliefs that are not based in reality and that the person refuses to give up, even when presented with factual information) Hallucinations (the perception of sensations that aren't real, such as hearing voices) Disorganized thinking Odd or unusual behavior Slow movements or total immobility Lack of emotion in facial expression and speech Poor motivation Problems with speech and communication

Question: what meds do you take for your schizoaffective disorder? I have schizoaffective disorder, specifically paranoid delusions and mixed (emotional) episodes. Meds haven't been working well so my doc and I agreed to go off them all for awhile (it's been a few months). Wondering what drug coctails have worked for others out there. I'm assuming I need a mood stabilizer and an antipsychotic? The mood stabilizers just don't seem to work, and all the drugs I've tried make me tired and gain weight.

Answer: I was diagnosed with this and I currently take 60 mg's of paxil, 4mg's of risperdal, and 2 mg's of klonopin per day and they help. But if I am in a tense situation, I get anxious again.

Question: Why is a person who has schizoaffective disorder Bipolar type I considered mentally disabled? Why is a person who has schizoaffective disorder Bipolar type I considered to be mentally disabled? I always thought being mentally disabled means that the person can't be independent but I think I can if I can get 30% assistance. I have this mental illness but I am stable with medications. My counselor told me I can't work because stress makes my illness worse. Does this mean I have to depend on social security disability for the rest of my life? I always thought I would be able to live in a big house and have a nice car and take vacations around the world once a year.

Answer: I'm sorry, it is a devastating blow to hear those words- I think it was worse than if you heard you had cancer-- at least cancer is fatal (I have the same diagnosis and have been disabled for over 5 years). The reason you can't work is even though your medications may make you "stable" right now-- there is no GUARANTEE how long they will keep you that way (I'm on my 20 something different med) and stress of any kind can cause you to spiral into a major depression (yes, worse than you are in now) and suicidal--been there x5 already. Now the up side- you may be able to be creative - make things, do things, when you are up to it, and sell them, Your positive attitude is encouraging but believe me, the littlest thing can set you off so you have to be careful--it's hard, it's really, really hard. If you ever need to talk e mail me.

Question: How does schizoaffective disorder differ from bipolar disorder 1? I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder 1 but in the past year I am having delusions and auditory hallucinations. How does schizoaffective disorder differ from bipolar disorder 1? Also what is bipolar disorder WITH psychosis and how is it different from scizoaffective disorder? I know bipolar is a lifelong thing and can only be stabilized, but what about scizoaffective disorder? Is that also a life long mental illness?

Answer: This is a good question. Bipolar 1 without psychosis is a mood disorder without halucinations. bipolar with psychosis includes visual and/or auditory halucinations. Schizoaffective disorder involves symptoms of bipolar, but also includes symptoms of schizophrenia as well. This means that the person will think about the world in a different way. It is a very broad diagnosis, it literally means "split mind". It basically means that the person is not coherent and compitent in their thinking. Most people with schizpaffective disorder cannot realize they are affected with the disorder, because the inability to fully realize the entirety of their conciousness is the nature of the disorder itself. Both are life long illnesses that must be controlled. I truly believe that a person must be evaluated by a competent and liscenced profesional. I do not believe that any mental illness can be initially self diagnosed (though I have gotten to the point that I can differentiate bipolar mania from just anxiety or being excited). Good luck with your journey.

Question: Does anyone know someone with schizoaffective disorder or scchizophrenia? My son has schizoaffective disorder and I was hoping maybe there was someone out there I could talk to about this?

Answer: Click on my profile and then click on my 360: there is an invitiation to a group and there are people there who know what you are going through. Try that and best of luck to you.

Question: What are some self help techniques for organization for one with a disease such as schizoaffective disorder? I have schizoaffective disorder, and I'm regrouping after a year long episode, and my thoughts and actions are very disorganized, and I still zone out a lot, are there any self help techniques that anyone would be willing to share to help me organize my life and thoughts?

Answer: i have bi-polar/psycosis and what i do is 1. write everything down on note pads calenders and i have an orginizer. as soon as i make an appt. i write it down, the day i go grocery shopping, laundry, i write it down, 2. i fill a weeks worth of pills in a pill box the morning,afternoon,dinner,and bedtime then on the last day i refill the box3.i keep a journal i write all my thoughts and feelings good and bad down in this book i let it all out because if you are like me not too many ppl around me dont understand and dont want to hear what i have to say.3. if i get really manic or depressed and cant get in right away to see the dr i call my crisis hot line and talk to them most of the time they make me feel better until i can see the dr. i hope this all helps you and good luck to you