This diagnosis came about because there are a number of people who have some of the symptoms of schizophrenia and some of the symptoms of an affective disorder (depression or bipolar disorder). It just seemed more accurate to create a new category for these people rather than force them into one of the other categories.
Some diagnostic categories seem to represent distinct disease entities that may even have a hereditary component. Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are often used as examples. Some researchers believe that these disorders are actually syndromes - groups of several different disorder that share certain characteristics. Some people consider schizophrenia to be such a diagnosis. There is evidence for its heritability, but it has several forms that are quite distinct from each other.
Still other diagnoses are sometimes described as "garbage can diagnoses." This simply means that they describe the symptoms of people who don't exactly fit into other diagnoses. Some of these diagnoses have the term "not otherwise specified" attached - such as "Depressive Disorder not otherwise specified" explicitly denoting that the disorder is made up of people who fit the major category of depression, but who don't fit any of the specific disorders.
What is the treatment for Schizoaffective Disorder? Treatment almost always includes both medications and psychotherapy. Antipsychotic medications are often used to treat the thought disorder component, while antidepressants or bipolar medications may be used for the affective component. Psychotherapy is individualized for the person. The focus is usually on helping the person provide structure for their life and on helping them modulate their emotions.
If you have been given this diagnosis you should work closely with your physician and your therapist (who may be the same person or may be different people). Be sure to take your medications as prescribed. Most medications for schizoaffective disorder need to be taken every day on a regular schedule - not on an "as needed" basis. Have you been given this diagnosis? Please share your thoughts on the Forum.
