When most people hear the terms schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, they assume they are the same thing. Many disorders, after all, have multiple names, however, it is important to understand the distinctions between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia. Understanding the distinctions can assist people in locating the appropriate schizoaffective disorder treatment center.
Schizoaffective Disorder vs Schizophrenia
It is critical to compare schizoaffective disorder to schizophrenia. People frequently group these mental illnesses together. In reality, they are two distinct disorders with distinct symptoms.
People suffering from schizophrenia, for example, have difficulty distinguishing between reality and fiction. They may see or hear voices that are not present. The voices and imagery are as real to them as it gets. However, others can’t see or hear those nonexistent things.
People with schizoaffective disorder feel detached from reality. While it causes them to see or hear things that are not there, it also significantly impacts their mood. Bipolar and depressive disorders are two common types of schizoaffective disorder.
Having said that, it is worth noting that these disorders share some other symptoms. They are, however, completely different and frequently necessitate different treatments.
Understanding the Subtle Differences
The distinction between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia is frequently difficult to discern. The reason for this is that many of the symptoms overlap. For example, schizoaffective disorder is typically defined by the mood disorders that accompany it. However, it is not uncommon for people with schizophrenia to have manic or depressive episodes.
How can specialists tell the difference if both suffer from mood disorders? The prominence of the mood disorder distinguishes schizoaffective disorder from schizophrenia. The mood disorder is at the forefront of schizoaffective disorder. It is not a predominant feature of schizophrenia.
Another distinction is that some people experience psychotic symptoms. Psychotic symptoms predominate in schizophrenia. In schizoaffective disorder, episodes of psychosis may occur.
However, trained professionals are required to distinguish between the two. After all, the symptoms typically appear in people in their twenties. They can also cause hallucinations and delusions.
A Difference in Treatment Styles
Why is it critical to understand the distinctions between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia? One reason is that both disorders necessitate distinct treatment approaches. Treating people for one condition while suffering from the other is ineffective.
The majority of schizophrenia treatment focuses on antipsychotic medications such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol. Antipsychotics are also used to treat schizoaffective disorder, but the most commonly prescribed one is paliperidone. In fact, it’s the only FDA-approved drug for this disorder.
Having said that, there are some treatment similarities. Attending therapy while taking appropriate medication, for example, is critical. Other issues that accompany these disorders can be addressed through therapy. However, it isn’t enough on its own, so they still have to take medication.
What Causes These Disorders?
Doctors still do not know what causes schizophrenia after years of research. They believe that chemical imbalances of dopamine and glutamate may be involved. They also understand that people with schizophrenia frequently have physically different brains than those who do not. This could imply that it occurs during the development of the brain.
Doctors have not spent nearly as much time researching schizoaffective disorder. They have, however, made more advances. Doctors believe that the genes that control the body’s natural sleep and wake cycle contribute to this disorder.
Revival Mental Health Can Help You Overcome Both Disorders
While there is a clear distinction between these two disorders, it does not have to affect where you seek treatment. At Revival Mental Health, we understand the distinctions between the two, and as a result, we provide a variety of treatment options in a single location.
At Revival Mental Health, we strive to provide a wide range of mental health treatment services. Among these are:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Residential treatment
- Transitional living
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
Do not let one of these mental illnesses keep you from living your life to the fullest. Discover the distinctions between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia. Contact Revival Mental Health today!
