I was diagnosed as schizoaffective and was inhoused and able to collect SSD because of this.. However I am taking pretty much the same drugs as those with bipolar (a mix of seroquel and lamictal)..

Schizoaffective disorder is essentially a cocktail of mood disorder and schizphrenic symptoms.. however the shrink I'm seeing now is treating me mainly for mood disorder (bipolar), and I think he's even trying to shift my diagnosis to bipolar because he thinks bipolar disorder by itself can cause distortions in perception and self-identity as well as marked social dysfunction. I wonder how much of this is true?

I agree it is true. Scientists have even found there are overlapping genes - not just between schizophrenia and bipolar but autism as well. I guess that's why some doctors refer to the collective as "schizophrenia-spectrum disorders"???

You might want to read this article although in addition to just the genetic aspects, I cannot help but think about the emotional and developmental fallout from having the illness (bipolar/schizophrenia or schizoaffective) itself. The diagnoses are given when brain function is being grossly affected. Having one's mind messed with that way may in turn affect self-perception, cause social dysfunction, etc.

I guess the truth in what your doctor says can only be determined in retrospect. If he can stabilize your moods - truly and completely so you are symptom-free - will the distortions and social dysfunction disappear? I suspect that it may, IF it is indeed all mood-related (ie bipolar) with the caveat that some emotional problems may have accumulated during the intervening years simply from the trauma of having to deal with your symptoms and the type of coping strategies people use to survive these illnesses.

it sounds right to me. i have discussed this with my pdoc before, as well as reading up. there used to be DSM diagnostic criteria links on line... they've made most of them so you have to pay now.

as i recall it is the differential diagnosis criterion is that schizophrenia-like symptoms must appear outside of - at least a 2?-3? weeks distance from a mood episode.

if your thought disorders, delusions, hallucinations etc only occur in association with a mood episode, then schizoaffective is ruled out in favor of bipolar or major depression (that depends on the types of mood episodes you have). in schizoaffective disorder it is also possible to have a mood episode without psychotic features, provided you do have them or have at some point.

i wouldn't worry about the labeling unless it interferes with you getting the right treatment or resources. it does sound like your doc is going after your symptoms, which is what needs to happen.

hey welcome aboard. i think there is probably a schizoaffective board here but it may not be very active -please feel welcome to post here..... we have folks with a wide variety of diagnoses and experiences.

i have been dx'd BP-NOS and BP-1 at different times. currently on delorazepam (a long acting benzo) + Depakote + Zyprexa, plus lorazepam prn for anxiety attacks which thankfully i'm not having.

(((hugs)))

~ waves ~

They have diagnosed me as having OCD,Panic disorder,and Schizoaffective disorder.

They don't know how to treat these disorders. I lose ground,and gain ground. Then I loose ground in some emotional area,and gain emotional ground in another area. Then I slip,and loose emotional ground,and everyone wonders whats happening to me. I don't know. Then I fall on my face emotionally,and it takes time to feel better.

Sometimes I can't control something that I know to be a delusion. I find myself struggling with a thought,then I loose control of my emotions,and have a panic attack.

Oh,it's to many things at one time,and I can't control these thoughts/emotions,and etc. It's been happening for a long time.

I'm on SSD,and they are talking about cutting social security,medicare,and medicaid.

In my state they are also talking about taking people out of mental hospitals,and that would save them 2 billion dollars a year. The social services programs are already declining in this state.

I just don't understand. What will happen to us? Will we end up on the streets,freezing at night?!!! This on top of our emotional conditions. BF

It's the tip of the iceberg. They need to keep researching these theorys until they can get some results.

I too am on seroquel. I'm on Luvox,and Xanax. These medicines help some what,but I'm far from being alright. BF

Steve

(((Steve))) ... been there. it's a sort of gray passage, for me paved with confusion and fear, that lies between the lucidty of health and the false clarity of a full blown delusion. when i'm in that passage is the only change i have to get help before i fail to realize i need it.

~ waves ~

when I am there it is too late....i end up in the hospital.
bizi