I wanted more information so I am asking again...Does anyone know anything about schizoaffective disorder.....

Question

I was diagnosed in March with this disorder. I don't completely understand it. I still hear and see things, I also very paranoid, but I have drastic mood swings when I'm not on medication. I was on Geodon, but I started having really bad heart beats because of it and my doctor took me off. So then she started me on Abilify. It took a couple of days for it to work for the hallucinations, but they finally stopped. But my mood swings have not changed at all. Right now I am so depressed that I thought about comitting suicide. I mean the week before I was doing okay, but the week before that I was so depressed that my doctor was really concerned that I was going to kill myself. This is not me. Work keeps me from going to therapy lately. But it is so hard dealing with the mood swings. I have been sent home from work because of it. It makes everyday so difficult, everything is a task. I just wanted to know if there is anything that any of you all do. Please help me understand my condition.

Answer 1

Schizoaffective disorder is a condition in which a person meets the criteria for both schizophrenia and a mood disorder.



The term "schizoaffective disorder" was introduced in 1933 by a doctor who determined that some patients showed symptoms different enough from schizophrenia to warrant a separate diagnosis. They experienced psychosis — such as hallucinations or delusions, characteristic of schizophrenia — and also had symptoms of elevated or depressed mood.



Untreated, people with schizoaffective disorder may lead lonely lives and have trouble holding down a job or attending school. Or, they may rely heavily on family or psychiatric group homes, provided a diagnosis is made. With treatment, the prognosis for people with schizoaffective disorder seems to be better than for people with schizophrenia alone, and not as good as for people with a mood disorder alone.



Taken from:

Answer 2

Ppl have already given you the basics. This site is a good one for psych meds from the user perspective. Actually, it's the best one I've found on the web. It helped me a lot after I was diagnosed with bipolar. http://www.crazymeds.us Take some time to find out about the medication that's out there, and then talk to your doctor about them.



Btw, Abilify and Geodon are the antipsychotics with the strongest antidepressant effect. That most likely is why your pdoc chose them. S/he has that much right. Perhaps now you need an antidepressant, too, or if bipolar a mood stabilizer. Abilify can act as a stabilizer for some, but not for others. Anyway, learn more about the meds. They are very, very important for ppl like us.



PS - There is a talk board at crazymeds. The link is at the top of the left pane.

Answer 3

I'm surprised that you are not on a mood stabilizer like Lamictal. I take that at 200 mg.



I also take Geodon 40 mg and Abilify 10 mg.



It's a shame that your doctor took you off Geodon because at the low dose I don't have any side effects with all the benefits of preventing mania and psychosis.



I was on Abilify and Lamictal together (without the Geodon) and I was so hyper that I was going off the rails. I started skipping classes in college.. I just couldn't concentrate. Really nothing stabilizes me like that low dose of Geodon.



Regardless, I think you need a different combination of medication to feel better---- definitely talk to your doctor about a mood stabilizer. (Try Lamictal before Depakote though because Depakote causes weight gain.)



~Good luck~

Answer 4

That's what Schizoaffective Disorder is; a combination of psychotic features like hallucinations and paranoia, along with mood swings. It's like having Schizophrenia and Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder at the same time.



If it's causing you to have problems at work, it might be a good idea to get a statement from your doctor that explains your diagnosis. If you have the statement from your doctor, they can't discriminate against you. Your workplace is actually required by law to make accomodations for you. If you need time off for therapy, you should be able to get the time off.



If you have question about how the law works, check out this web site:



http://www.ada.gov/

Answer 5

My step daughter suffers from schizoaffective disorder. There is alot of information avail on line you just have to look for it. About your suicidal thoughts, That is something you need to deal with right now. I know you dont know me but can you contract to me that you will not hurt yourself nor anyone else? Call a local crisis line. Thats what they are there for.



Schizoaffective disorder is a mix of schizophrenia and a mood disorder most often Bipolar. ( formerly known as Manic Depressant.) Talk to your doctor. Find an "Ask a nurse" in your local area. But by all means if you are feeling suicidal see help NOW.



Please call someone now and talk. Im even on messenger Ill talk to you for a while.

Answer 6

There are two types of schizoaffective disorder, the depressive type, and the bipolar type. It's basically schizophrenia meets mood disorder.



All that has happened is they haven't perfected your medication yet. Go back to the doctor and tell them you're not hallucinating, but you are still depressed. They will take the necessary action.



It can take a long time to get meds just right so that you feel normal again. Give it time and be patient. Talk to your doctor.

Answer 7

See the main post on schizoaffective disorder, in section 40, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris then the rest of the section



I am wondering why you have not been prescribed a mood stabiliser, such as lithium. There are other medications available, and a "checking for interactions" function, as well as "side effects", is at http://www.drugs.com



A possibility is lithium & abilify, but I suggest you check this out for yourself, and get a second opinion, owing to the possibility of misdiagnosis.



It's your life, and your decision, so make it an informed one, and try to reduce the possibility of misdiagnosis or poor professional judgement/inexperience in this area.

Answer 8

there arent many options on your table...sorry to tell u... theres the chance ur doctor may have to change your medication. and be sure when i say, most anti depressives or anti psychotics cause suicidal thoughts...



another thing ur doctor could do is give u the option of being hospitalized for a week... im not so sure how this works



u could do some research on different meds to treat your condition... and suggest them to your shrink... good luck

Answer 9

u need to take ur medications requarly 4 them to work cannot skip a dose here and there has ur dr suggested injection form it lasts for 2 weeks to a month depending on severity of symptoms and that way u dont have to remember to take ur pills or worry about effects if u do miss a dose- i presume u have blood tests to ensure ur levels r ok discuss this with ur dr also

unfortunately its one of those diseases that u have to struggle with but if medicatioin isnt workin just keep going back to ur dr and if very desperate u can volunteer urself for the psyc ward

Answer 10

http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/mental-health-schizoaffective-disorder



Good luck =]

Answer 11

Oh, thats the thing where you die of spontanious combulstion?!



holy crap.



lol, im sorry. i watch too much south park!





xP