I have found that there are a lot of individuals, even in different areas of the medical field as well as family members, friends, and even individuals themselves, who are not fully educated about schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia. When comparing the two disorders, one might assume they are the same. Therefore, it is especially important to understand the differences between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. The most important area to look at is the symptoms of each disorder. One would need to ask, “Are they truly different?” They are different in how an individual with schizophrenia relates to something vs how an individual with schizoaffective disorder relates to something.

It is extremely important to understand the difference before making a medical diagnosis. So, let us discuss the difference between these two disorders. The first one is schizophrenia. Individuals with this disorder have a challenging time understanding the difference between what is real {reality} and what is not real {fiction}. Individuals with schizophrenia hear voices and see images of people, things, places, or events that happen but really do not occur. Studies have shown that individuals with schizophrenia have psychotic symptoms best described as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thoughts. Unfortunately, to them, it is very real. Furthermore, it is difficult to convince them otherwise. Do not argue with them; it makes their behavior worse.

Directly, you will not change their mind about what they believe is real. The more you argue with them, the more they will believe what they see and hear is real. Here is the difference: studies have found that with schizophrenia, individuals must have repeated symptoms that have lingered for at least six months to make a proper diagnosis. Their symptoms are classified as continued and chronic. The second one is schizoaffective disorder, and they are often detached from reality at challenging times as well. Individuals diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder have psychotic symptoms also, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thoughts, but they also have mood turmoil. The severity of the mood swings plays a big part in the behavior that is displayed.

The main area to check on with schizoaffective disorder is the mood swings to make a correct diagnosis. Their severe mood swings and psychotic symptoms run in cycles. You must keep checking to see if mood swings are present with psychotic symptoms to be able to say the individual has schizoaffective disorder instead of just schizophrenia. Most individuals diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder have two distinct types of disorders such as bipolar and depressive disorders, along with their psychotic symptoms. So, the difference with schizoaffective disorder: an individual’s mood swings need to be current for a considerable amount of their illness to make a proper diagnosis. Again, here we see where reality and fiction play a significant role in their illness,but it has to be along with severe mood swings as well.

 Individuals with schizoaffective disorder often have different mood swings when they are not taking medications correctly or not at all. And to them, it is also very real, and difficult to talk to them about it. The same scenario plays out; you cannot convince them otherwise. Again, the main challenge will be trying to keep them calm… Both disorders may share several symptoms that are indeed alike, but despite that, they are entirely unlike as well. One should understand that, because they are not completely alike, it is particularly important to obtain the right diagnosis to receive the correct treatment. Yet some individuals have schizophrenia in which they may be affected by manic or depressive mood swings. I know it can be confusing,

 Studies have found that both disorders are believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance of dopamine. It is often difficult even for medical providers to make a complete and correct diagnosis when an individual first starts to display symptoms of either illness. I really do not believe there is that much difference between them due to the fact that they have similar traits. The most important part to remember would be to seek or get medical help and the correct treatment because a lack of medical treatment overall can eventually lead to permanent brain damage over a period. I honestly believe that in the future, more research or studies should be done when comparing these diagnoses.Try reading these books “Schizoaffective bipolar disorder:Understanding the Hybrid Mind” by author Charles Gold and “Better Living with Psychosis, Schizoaffective Disorder and Schizophrenia: Help for Coping and Recovery” by author Philipp Drescher.”

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References

1.https://www.nami.org/mental-health-diagnosis/schizophrenia-schizoaffective-disorder/

2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/schizoaffective-disorder-vs-schizophrenia

3. https://psychcentral.com/schizophrenia/schizoaffective-disorder-vs-schizophrenia