The most successful treatments combine medication, talking therapies and social interventions (such as help making friends). During the acute phase, individuals often need inpatient care e.g. treatment in a hospital. Before or after the acute phase they may need ongoing care in the community e.g. visits to their home from a healthcare worker.
Drug therapy usually involves a combination of several different types of medicine. For example, a mood stabiliser (Lithium, Sodium Valporate) together with an anti psychotic (for bipolar individuals) and an antidepressant and an anti psychotic (for unipolar individuals). Rarely, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be suggested as a treatment for severe depression when the individual’s life is at immediate risk, for example when they have stopped eating or drinking.
Recommended psychological approaches include individual or group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and when indicated, family therapy. Social interventions include the Social Rehabilitation Model, which aims to assist people with independent living skills, developing social contacts and finding employment.
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The condition is often regarded as less disabling than schizophrenia, although thirty to forty per cent of people will attempt suicide, and one in ten will succeed.
The majority of people make a full recovery following each episode. Some people may have only one episode, whilst others will experience recurrences throughout their life, particularly at times of stress.
- People with bi-polar schizoaffective disorder tend to have severe psychotic symptoms and grossly disturbed behaviour but make a rapid and full recovery within weeks.
- People with uni-polar schizoaffective disorder tend to have less severe psychotic symptoms but these last longer.
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If possible, people with schizoaffective disorder should involve themselves as much as possible in agreeing their care plan, so as to feel they are taking control of the problem. As well as professional interventions, there may also be value in self-help strategies, such as attending support groups and learning relaxation techniques. Taking exercise and eating a balanced diet may also be important.
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Written in 2003
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