Schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type is rather rare. Like I have expressed in past posts, I don’t “officially” know all of my diagnoses.
Never cared to look or ask. But I know I’m bipolar and I have delusions and hallucinations.
Therefore, does that label me schizoaffective with bipolar type? I don’t know. I’m not trying to diagnose myself. All I care about is how to treat it. How can I live with it?
I have been “sober” of delusions for 5 months, which is a great accomplishment for me. Hence, my mind has never been clearer and I’m looking forward to livng on my own.
With that said, what exactly is the definition of schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type?
Basically, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type is a rare mental health condition that occurs when a person has both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder at the same time.
Nonetheless, people with this condition may experience symptoms of both conditions, including:
Bipolar disorder: Manic episodes, sometimes alternating with depressive episodes
Schizophrenia: Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and disorganized behavior
Causes of Schizoaffective Disorder With Bipolar Type
Schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type has risk factors. Overall, the exact causes of schizoaffective disorder are unknown, but there are several potential risk factors:
Genetics
Straightaway, family history of schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or depression.
Research with twins suggests that genetics play a role, with identical twins having a 40% risk of developing the condition if a sibling has it, compared to 5% for nonidentical twins.
However, the fact that the risk is not 100% suggests that other factors are also important.
Brain Chemistry
An imbalance of brain chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin. Research at the time focused on the role that chemicals in the brain play in depression and anxiety.
Subsequently, these researchers hypothesized that insufficient levels of neurotransmitters could lead to symptoms, such as:
- firstly, feelings of sadness, helplessness, worthlessness, or emptiness
- overeating or a loss of appetite
- insomnia or sleeping too much
- fourthly, restlessness
- irritability
- a feeling of impending doom or danger
- lastly, lack of energy
While chemical changes in the body may occur during depression, research has not proven that these imbalances directly cause the above symptoms.
Brain Structure
Abnormalities or changes in brain structure. Consequently, changes in the size or shape of different parts of the brain can alter the brain’s communication network, leading to functional abnormalities.
For example, MRI scans have shown that people with depression have enlarged pituitary and adrenal glands.
Environmental factors
Childhood trauma, malnutrition before birth, exposure to viruses before birth, birth or pregnancy complications, and alcohol and drug misuse. Stressful events may also cause symptoms.
What are the Early Signs of Schizoaffective Disorder With Bipolar Type?
Schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type has early signs. Schizoaffective disorder symptoms can overlap with those of schizophrenia, depression, and/or mania, and can vary depending on the type of schizoaffective disorder. Early signs of schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type may include:
Manic symptoms
Firstly, Energy: Feeling full of energy, jumpy, or wired
Sleep: Decreased need for sleep, or not sleeping at all
Speech: Rapid, pressured speech, or unusual talkativeness
Fourthly, Thoughts: Racing thoughts, or difficulty concentrating
Distractibility: Being easily distracted
Mood: Feeling elated, overjoyed, or very happy
Self-confidence: Feeling euphoric, self-important, or confident
Lastly, Behavior: Increased activity, agitation, or irritability
Depressive symptoms
Psychological symptoms:
- Firstly, Persistent low mood or sadness
- Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness
- Low self-esteem
- Fourthly, Guilt or inappropriate guilt
- Lack of motivation or interest in activities
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Lastly, Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
Physical symptoms:
- Firstly, Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down
- Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
- Difficulty sleeping, waking too early in the morning, or oversleeping
- Increased purposeless physical activity, such as pacing or handwringing
- Lastly, Slowed movements or speech that are severe enough to be observable by others
Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Type Symptoms
Hence, Schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type has unique symptoms. Schizoaffective disorder bipolar type can include symptoms similar to both mania and depression, which are also experienced in bipolar disorder:
Manic symptoms
These can include:
- Firstly, Having more energy than usual
- Feeling extremely excited or upbeat
- Having racing thoughts
- Fourthly, Needing to talk more than usual
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Increased social, sexual, and work activity
- Additionally, Exaggerated self-esteem
- Risky behaviors
- Impulsive behaviors, such as spending sprees
- Lastly, Quick mood changes, such as from happiness to anger
Depressive symptoms
These can include:
- Firstly, Feeling sad, low, or empty
- Sleep problems
- Feeling disconnected from others
- Lastly, Suicidal feelings
How is Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Type Treated?
Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Type Medications
Schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type can be treated with meds.
In sum, medications for bipolar-type schizoaffective disorder can include antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers:
Antipsychotics
Used to treat symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking.
Examples include haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, and ziprasidone.
Paliperidone extended-release (Invega) is the only antipsychotic approved by the FDA to treat schizoaffective disorder.
Invega is also available as an injectable medication that’s given once a month in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder.
Antidepressants
Used to treat and prevent depression. Examples include sertraline and fluoxetine. Specifically, in the depressive subtype of schizoaffective disorder, antidepressants are often combined with an antipsychotic.
Mood Stabilizers
Used to treat and prevent mania. Examples include lithium, carbamazepine, and valproic acid.
When in the manic subtype of schizoaffective disorder, mood stabilizers are often combined with an antipsychotic.
The type of medication prescribed depends on whether the patient has a depressive or manic subtype of schizoaffective disorder.
Early treatment with medication can improve outcomes, and patients should also receive psychotherapy services.
Different approaches to psychotherapy
- Firstly, Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies. This approach focuses on changing problematic behaviors, feelings, and thoughts by discovering their unconscious meanings and motivations. …
- Behavior therapy. …
- Thirdly, Cognitive therapy. …
- Humanistic therapy. …
- Lastly, Integrative or holistic therapy.
How Rare is Schizoaffective Bipolar?
Schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type is rare. Schizoaffective disorder is rare, affecting about 0.3% of Americans, or 3 in every 1,000 people.
However, it’s difficult to know the exact number of people with the condition because it can be hard to diagnose.
Schizoaffective disorder’s symptoms overlap with other mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and it can be difficult to differentiate between them.
As a result, people with schizoaffective disorder may be misdiagnosed with one of these other conditions.
Schizoaffective disorder usually begins in the late teen years or early adulthood, often between ages 16 and 30.
It affects men and women equally, but men may develop the disorder earlier in life.
People with schizoaffective disorder may experience symptoms of psychosis and mood disorders together or separately, often in cycles.
Therefore, these symptoms typically last for at least six months and can interfere with self-care, work, or relationships.
Self-Care for Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type can be helped with self-care.
On the contrary, many people who are diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder are able to live happy and fulfilling lives. Self-care can help with this.
Self-care is how you look after your daily routine and the things that affect how you’re feeling.
For example, exercise, relationships and diet. What helps you may be different from someone else. It’s worth trying out different things until you find what works for you.
On the whole, you may find that making small changes in certain areas can help prevent some problems from developing.
It can help to:
- Think about your triggers
- Create a crisis plan
- Try peer support
- Try calling a helpline
- Try new ways of relaxing
- Other activities
- Think about your diet
- Try some physical activity
- Visit a recovery college
Think about your triggers
Not to mention, you might find it helpful to keep track of your experiences over a period of time.
You could try doing this for a few weeks at first, noting things down in a diary or on your phone. It may be helpful to track:
Doing this may help you to spot patterns in your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It may also help you to think about situations that you find difficult, as well as those which have been helpful.
There are many online mood diaries which you may find helpful. Bipolar UK has a mood scale, mood diary and mood tracker app, which are free to use.
That is to say, you might want to share your observations with your close family, friends or care team.
It may be helpful for them to listen to you when you’re having a bad day. Or to help you keep on top of your commitments and be aware of your triggers.
That is, having thoughts on paper makes it easier to give them structure and find answers.
Create a crisis plan
Schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type is helped with a crisis plan. During a crisis, you may not always be able to tell people what helps you.
While you’re feeling well, it may be a good idea to talk to someone you trust about what you’d like to happen if you’re in a crisis.
Try peer support
You might find it very helpful to talk to other people who have similar experiences to you. Peer support can be a great way to do this.
Peer support can help you:
- Firstly, Feel more positive about the future
- Increase your self-esteem
- Thirdly, Find friends
- Recognise patterns in your experiences
- Develop and discuss ways of coping
- Lastly, Identify early signs of crisis
Various organizations run groups or programmes. The Hearing Voices Network hosts groups across the country for people who hear, see or sense things that others don’t.
There are lots of ways to find peer support:
- Firstly, See list of useful contacts
- See peer support directory
- Ask your local Mind about peer support
- Lastly, Try an online peer support community like Mind’s Side by Side
Try calling a helpline
If you need to talk to someone but don’t feel ready to try peer support, there are helplines you can call when you’re feeling distressed. For example, Samaritans or SANEline. Talking to a trained listener could help you feel supported and make sense of what’s happening for you.
Try new ways of relaxing
It may be helpful to try relaxation techniques, such as:
- Yoga, meditation or mindfulness
- Taking a shower or bath
- Try breathing in and out slowly – some people find it helpful to count while doing this
- Taking a walk in nature
Other activities
Practical activities may help to distract you. They can also help you stay connected to the present moment. Activities could include things like:
- Firstly, Gardening
- Cleaning or tidying
- Cooking
- Lastly, Crafts
Arts can be helpful in expressing your feelings, such as:
- Painting
- Music
- Writing
Likewise, making time in your day for other activities you enjoy, such as:
- Gaming
- Reading
- Watching films
For more ideas, see some pages on arts and creative therapies, nature and mental health, sleep problems, stress, relaxation and mindfulness.
Think about your diet
Schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type can be helped with balanced diet. It can be difficult to maintain a healthy diet when we’re struggling with our mental health.
But eating regularly can keep your blood sugar stable and really make a difference to your mood and energy levels.
For more tips, see pages on food and mood.
I put on weight since I started medication so I have started eating really healthily. I think this has helped my depression too.
Try some physical activity
To emphasize, physical activity can have a positive impact on our mood. It can be really helpful to focus on your body and physical surroundings. Moving your body may also help you to sleep better. Activities may include:
- A regular walk outdoors
- Swimming
- Yoga or meditation
Health walks are organized locally in some areas. Hence, your GP surgery may organize a weekly walking group.
Some doctors will also prescribe an exercise programme. See the pages on physical activity and nature and mental health for more information.
Exercise is very important. If I feel I have too much energy, swimming or a fast long walk can really calm me down and help me sleep.
On a low day I might not be up for a swim, but a walk into town really helps me bring my mind and body together.
Visit a recovery college
You may also find it helpful to find a recovery college. They offer courses about mental health and recovery in a supportive environment. In fact, you can find local providers on the Mind Recovery Net website.
Sum It All Up
Schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type is nothing to be ashamed of.
So, I openly talk about my mental illnesses because I think it needs to be addressed more. Especially the schizophrenia. There is such a stigma behind it.
Not everyone with it is “out of their minds.” They, like me, can lead a productive life just like anyone else.
Then again, the only discerning thing about schizophrenia (to me anyway) is the fact that when I have an episode, I loose track of time. I don’t realize how much time has elapsed.
Otherwise, I just mainly hide from society. I don’t want anyone to see me having hallucinations or delusions because of the stigma. To conclude, I’m not “nuts,” I’m just “well rounded.” Until next time…
Articles About Schizoaffective Disorder With Bipolar Type
-Understanding Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Type
https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-schizoaffective-disorder
-Schizoaffective Disorder
-Medications for Schizoaffective Disorder
https://www.drugs.com/condition/schizoaffective-disorder.html
Have a Good One,
Cindee Murphy, One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions
“I think that I’m a better problem-solver because of my schizophrenia. When you have to question reality every single day, I think that makes you change how you view the world.” — Cecilia McGough
“Whenever I’ve been told to stop — by someone who thought they had power over me, by something that happened around me, by the voices I heard in my own head — I kept going.” — Brian Wilson, I Am Brian Wilson
“If you are a person with mental illness, the challenge is to find the life that’s right for you … My good fortune is not that I’ve recovered from mental illness. I have not, nor will I ever. My good fortune lies in having found my life.” — Elyn R. Saks, The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness
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