Living With Schizoaffective Disorder

If you have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder (ScAD), you may be relieved to know why you have felt or behaved a certain way. You may also feel overwhelmed about the treatment ahead, how to get the support you need, and how to deal with the condition day-to-day. With care and support, you can learn to manage your symptoms and live with ScAD.

ScAD is a lifelong chronic condition that may occur in cycle. Periods of severe symptoms may be followed by periods of less severe symptoms or improvement. If you are living with ScAD, there are steps that you can take to help manage the condition and make your life better.

How to manage lifestyle changes

Managing stress

Stress is your body’s reaction to life changes and events, both good and bad. For people with ScAD, stress can cause more severe symptoms to start (can be a trigger), so it is important to learn ways to deal with stress. Your health care provider, therapist, or counselor may suggest techniques such as:

• Meditation, muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises.
• Music therapy. This can include creating music or listening to music.
• Life skills training. This training is focused on work, self-care, money, house management, and social skills.

Other things you can do to cope with stress include:

• Keeping a stress diary. This can help you learn what causes your stress to start and how you can control your response to those triggers.
• Exercising. Even a short daily walk can help.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Making a schedule to manage your time. Knowing what you will do from day to day helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed by tasks and deadlines.
• Spending time on hobbies you enjoy that help you relax.

Medicines

Your health care provider is likely to prescribe various types of medicine depending on your symptoms. These may include one or more of the following types:

• Antipsychotics.
• Mood stabilizers.
• Antidepressants.

Make sure you:

• Talk with your pharmacist or health care provider about all medicines that you take, the possible side effects, and which medicines are safe to take together.
• Make it your goal to take part in all treatment decisions (shared decision-making). Ask about possible side effects of medicines that your health care provider recommends, and tell him or her how you feel about having those side effects. It is best if shared decision-making with your health care provider is part of your total treatment plan.

Relationships

Having the support of your family and friends can play a major role in the success of your treatment. The following steps can help you maintain healthy relationships:

• Think about going to couples therapy, family therapy, or family education classes.
• Create a written plan for your treatment, and include close family members and friends in the process.
• Consider bringing your partner or another family member or friend to the appointments you have with your health care provider.

How to recognize changes in your condition

If you find that your condition is getting worse, talk to your health care provider right away. Watch for these signs:

• Your mood becomes extreme with either emotional highs or the intense lows of depression.
• Your speech becomes unclear.
• You are disorganized, show the wrong social behaviors, or withdraw from social activities.
• You have racing thoughts and have trouble thinking clearly or staying focused.
• You hear, see, taste, and believe things that others do not.
• You have poor personal hygiene, weight gain or weight loss, or changes in how you are sleeping or eating.

Where to find support

Talking to others

• Reach out to trusted friends or family members, explain your condition, and let them know that you are working with a health care team.
• Consider giving educational materials to friends and family.
• If you are having trouble telling your friends and family about your condition, keep in mind that honest and open communication can make these conversations easier.

Finances

Be sure to check with your insurance carrier to find out what treatment options are covered by your plan. You may also be able to find financial assistance through not-for-profit organizations or with local government-based resources.

If you are taking medicines, you may be able to get the generic form, which may be less expensive than brand-name medicine. Some makers of prescription medicines also offer help to patients who cannot afford the medicines that they need.

Therapy and support groups

• Make sure you find a counselor or therapist who is familiar with ScAD. Meet with your counselor or therapist once a week or more often if needed.
• Find support programs for people with ScAD, such as local groups associated with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. You can begin your search here: www.nami.org  

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. Do not start new medicines or stop taking medicines before you ask your health care provider if it is safe to make those changes.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and drugs. They can affect how your medicine works and can make your symptoms worse.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider, therapist, or counselor. This is important.
• Look for support groups in your area so you can meet other people with your condition and learn new coping methods.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You are not able to take your medicines as prescribed.
• Your symptoms get worse.

Get help right away if:

• You have serious thoughts about hurting yourself or others.

If you ever feel like you may hurt yourself or others, or have thoughts about taking your own life, get help right away. You can go to your nearest emergency department or call:

• Your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
• A suicide crisis helpline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This is open 24 hours a day.

Summary

• Schizoaffective disorder (ScAD) is a lifelong chronic illness. It is best controlled with continuous treatment that includes medicine and therapy.
• Learning ways to deal with stress may help your treatment work better.
• Having the support of your family and friends can be a key to making your treatment a success.
• If you find that your condition is getting worse, talk to your health care provider right away.