You’ve heard of Bipolar… Maybe even 1 (Mania) or 2 (Hypomania). You’ve heard of Depression and Schizophrenia too, right? But have you heard of their hate child, Schizoaffective Disorder? It’s literally like Bipolar or Depression (depending on the type) had a baby with Schizophrenia and produced Schizoaffective Disorder. But I bet most of you haven’t ever heard of this. I know I hadn’t before I was diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar I Type. And, honestly, it was such a relief. Why? Because it gave me an explanation, NOT an excuse. (A very important distinction I will talk about in a later blog…) And with this explanation, I had a reason for symptoms that couldn’t be explained by the more well known and commonly diagnosed disorders and it affirmed I wasn’t just “crazy” (a word I have learned to love to hate). So, what exactly is Schizoaffective Disorder in detail? What separates it from Bipolar or Depression with psychotic features, for example? Well let’s get into that! With Bipolar or Depression with psychotic features these psychotic episodes ONLY show up WITH the manic or depressive symptoms. But with Schizoaffective Disorder they come without those symptoms in the way they would with Schizophrenia. But if that’s the case what makes it different from Schizophrenia then? Well, Schizophrenia doesn’t typically have the “affect” (or mood) symptoms such as mania or depression. So when that is added in plus the psychosis and they all come together but also separate and with periods of “normalcy” (for lack of a better term), you are left with my diagnosis, Schizoaffective Disorder. Now, it’s never ok to diagnose yourself, as that can ONLY be done by an educated and trained mental health professional but, if this sounds like you or someone you know… bring it up with yours or their psychiatric healthcare provider and who knows, maybe this is the answer you’ve been searching for! And also, maybe, you can finally find the right treatment plan for you! (-:
Cede Dawn Chronicles 
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