Schizoaffective Disorder is one of the more common, chronic and disabling emotional disorders. It is characterized by a combination of symptoms of schizophrenia and an Affective (mood) disorder. Most clinicians and researchers today agree that it is primarily a form of schizophrenia, and may account for one-fourth or even one-third of all persons with schizophrenia.
To diagnose schizoaffective disorder, a person needs to have primary symptoms of schizophrenia (such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior) along with a period of time when he or she also has symptoms of major depression or a manic episode. Sometimes, differentiating schizoaffective disorder from schizophrenia and from a mood disorder can be difficult.
The most effective treatment for schizoaffective disorder is a combination of medications and psychosocial interventions. In terms of psychosocial interventions specifically, evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy, brief psychotherapy, and social skills training are likely to have a beneficial effect.
Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge is an adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment center for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as Community Residential Homes, Supportive Housing, Day Treatment Programs and Life Skills training. Pasadena Villa’s Outpatient Center in Raleigh, North Carolina offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (PHP). If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please complete our contact form or call us at 407-215-2519 for more information.
