What is borderline schizoaffective disorder?

Overview. Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health disorder that is marked by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression or mania.


What does it mean to be borderline schizophrenic?

Borderline schizophrenia is held to be a valid entity that should be included in the DSM-III. It is a chronic illness that may be associated with many other symptoms but is best characterized by perceptual-cognitive abnormalities. It has a familial distribution and a genetic relationship with schizophrenia.

Is borderline personality disorder the same as schizoaffective disorder?

Borderline personality disorder and schizoaffective disorder each come with a fairly unique set of symptoms. However, both can contribute to depression and anxiety symptoms and affect the way you see yourself and others.


Can you be schizoaffective and have BPD?

Therapists are Standing By to Treat Your Depression, Anxiety or Other Mental Health Needs. Schizoaffective disorder is a diagnosis characterized by the simultaneous presence of both the mood disorder characteristic of bipolar disorder and the psychotic thought problems characteristic of Schizophrenia.

Can you have mild schizoaffective disorder?

They can range from mild to severe. Someone with schizoaffective disorder experiences psychotic symptoms. They also experience severe mood changes, with symptoms of depression, mania or both. A person with schizoaffective disorder will have psychotic symptoms that occur alone and with mood changes.


Schizoaffective Disorder Mnemonics (Memorable Psychiatry Lecture)



What triggers schizoaffective episodes?

Rather than a single cause it is generally agreed that schizoaffective disorder is likely to be caused by a combination of factors, such as: stressful life events. childhood trauma. brain chemistry.

How does a schizoaffective person think?

Schizoaffective disorder symptoms may vary from person to person. People with the condition experience psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, as well as symptoms of a mood disorder — either bipolar type (episodes of mania and sometimes depression) or depressive type (episodes of depression).

What do people with schizoaffective disorder see?

Signs and symptoms of psychosis in people with schizoaffective disorder include false perceptions called hallucinations, such as hearing voices no one else can hear or experiencing visions, smells, or tactile (touch) sensations. Strongly held false beliefs (delusions) are also a characteristic feature.


Are people with schizoaffective disorder angry?

Some of the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder may include: Behavioral symptoms: Inability to cry or express joy. Angry outbursts.

Does schizoaffective disorder affect intelligence?

Of 129 individuals with first-episode schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, 25% showed stable low IQ, 31% showed stable IQ in the average/high range, and 44% demonstrated intellectual deterioration by 10 points or more.

What are the two types of schizoaffective disorder?

Types of schizoaffective disorder
  • Manic type: In this type you have both psychotic and manic symptoms occurring within one episode.
  • Depressive type: In this type you have both psychotic and depressive symptoms occurring at the same time during an episode.


Does schizoaffective disorder get worse with age?

The Outlook for Schizoaffective Disorder

This is considered to be a lifelong, chronic condition with no cure. That means that a recurrence of symptoms or mood episodes is always possible. However, many people experience fewer and less severe symptoms as they get older, especially approaching middle age.

Is schizoaffective disorder a disability?

Is schizoaffective disorder a disability? The answer is yes, if a patient meets the severity of symptoms listed in the Blue Book under either Section 12.03 or Section 12.04. Section 12.03 lists the qualifying symptoms for schizophrenia, while Section 12.04 lists the symptoms for affective disorders.

How do you know if your borderline schizophrenic?

Symptoms of Borderline Schizophrenia

Change in functioning is significant compared to previous level of functioning. Continuous signs of the disturbance for a six-month period. This period can include at least one month of active symptoms followed by residual periods or periods marked by negative symptoms.


What are the symptoms of a borderline schizophrenic?

BPD symptoms

emotional instability, including episodes of anger. depression and anxiety. unstable relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners. impulsivity.

Is borderline on the schizophrenia spectrum?

Today, near‐psychotic symptoms appear as DSM‐5 criteria in both BPD and SPD. This makes the differentiation of BPD from the schizophrenia spectrum heavily dependent on the detection and registration of the schizophrenic fundamental symptoms.

Can people with schizoaffective love?

When a mental health condition such as schizoaffective disorder is present, a relationship can be a remarkable resource and support system, but it can also be a trigger. It can help to stabilize someone's mood, give them confidence and a sense of security, and keep them actively involved in the world.


Do schizoaffective people have empathy?

Taken together, these results suggest that schizophrenia patients are likely to have reduced empathic ability compared with controls interacting with others in everyday life, and these differences are greatest when interacting with highly emotionally expressive people.

Is schizoaffective disorder violent?

Although most people with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder are not violent, there is an association between psychotic disorders and violence, and with homicide in particular [1, 2].

What are schizoaffective voices like?

People with schizophrenia can hear a variety of noises and voices, which often get louder, meaner, and more persuasive over time. A few examples of the type sounds that might be heard: Repetitive, screeching sounds suggestive of rats. Painfully loud, thumping music themes.


What is the best medicine for schizoaffective disorder?

Antipsychotics. The only medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder is the antipsychotic drug paliperidone (Invega).

What is it like living with someone with schizoaffective disorder?

The lives of people with schizoaffective disorder are marked by uncertainty, unpredictability, and stress, and the longer they go without receiving medical assistance the more likely they are to experience significant personal, professional, and health-related hardships.

How rare is schizoaffective disorder?

Schizoaffective is relatively rare, with a lifetime prevalence of only 0.3%. Men and women experience schizoaffective disorder at the same rate, but men often develop the illness at an earlier age.


What should you not say to someone with schizoaffective disorder?

While it may be easy to become frustrated or angry with them, you should never yell, say harsh things, or speak in a strong voice to them. Instead, speak gently. Be honest, but don't be harsh or aggressive. This person is probably relying on your support, and it's best to express your concerns in a gentle manner.