San Diego Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment
Find San Diego schizoaffective disorder treatment at Del Rae Behavioral Health with individualized outpatient mental health care.
Home
/
Clinically Reviewed by:
Clinical Director: Sean O’Neill, LMFT
San Diego Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment
Schizoaffective disorder can affect how you think, perceive the world, regulate your mood and function in everyday life. If you’re looking for San Diego schizoaffective disorder treatment, finding care to address the full range of your symptoms is important.
At Del Rae Behavioral Health, we provide outpatient mental health treatment in San Diego for adults who need structured mental health support without 24-hour residential care. Our approach is individualized, so treatment is based on your diagnosis, current symptoms, treatment history, goals and level of functioning instead of a one-size-fits-all plan.
Summary of Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment at Del Rae Behavioral Health
Schizoaffective disorder involves symptoms of psychosis along with significant episodes of depression or mania. There are bipolar and depressive types of schizoaffective disorder, and treatment commonly includes medication, psychotherapy and ongoing support. Del Rae Behavioral Health provides individualized, co-ed outpatient mental health care in San Diego. Treatment can incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and other services when they’re clinically appropriate.
What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition including symptoms associated with schizophrenia as well as significant mood episodes involving depression or mania. Symptoms can affect perception, thinking, emotional regulation, relationships and a person’s ability to manage daily responsibilities.
Psychotic symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thinking. Mood symptoms depend partly on the type of schizoaffective disorder a person experiences.
Bipolar Type vs. Depressive Type
There are two primary types of schizoaffective disorder.
Bipolar type includes episodes of mania and may also include major depressive episodes. Depressive type includes major depressive episodes without manic episodes.
Schizoaffective disorder can sometimes be hard to diagnose because the symptoms overlap with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and other mental health conditions. A thorough assessment is important to determine what’s causing someone’s symptoms and then create an appropriate treatment plan.
What Are the Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder?
Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder generally include a combination of psychotic symptoms and significant mood changes. The exact presentation and severity can vary a lot from one person to another.
Potential symptoms include:
- Hallucinations, such as hearing or seeing things other people don’t experience.
- Delusions or firmly held beliefs that aren’t consistent with reality.
- Disorganized speech or thinking.
- Difficulty concentrating or organizing thoughts.
- Depression, hopelessness or loss of interest.
- Manic symptoms include unusually elevated energy or a reduced need for sleep.
- Racing thoughts or increased impulsivity during manic episodes.
- Social withdrawal.
- Difficulty maintaining work, school, relationships or everyday responsibilities.
These symptoms can change over time, and having one or several symptoms doesn’t automatically mean a person has schizoaffective disorder. Other mental health conditions, substance use, medications and medical conditions can sometimes produce similar symptoms, so a professional evaluation is especially important.
Insurance Partnerships
How Is Schizoaffective Disorder Different From Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder?
Schizoaffective disorder overlaps with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but clinicians distinguish the conditions partly by looking at when psychotic and mood symptoms occur.
Schizophrenia primarily involves psychosis, but mood symptoms can happen, while bipolar disorder centers on episodes of mania, hypomania or depression and some people may experience psychosis during particularly severe mood episodes.
Schizoaffective disorder includes substantial mood episodes along with symptoms of psychosis. One important diagnostic distinction is the presence of hallucinations or delusions for at least two weeks when a major mood episode isn’t happening.
Because these differences can be hard to recognize without a detailed history, clinicians shouldn’t base a diagnosis on a single episode or symptom. Evaluating patterns over time helps clinicians understand if symptoms are better explained by schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, a mood disorder, substance use or another condition.
How Is Schizoaffective Disorder Treated?
Schizoaffective disorder treatment commonly combines medication, psychotherapy and ongoing psychosocial support. The specific combination depends on whether a person primarily experiences psychosis, depression, mania or a mixture of symptoms, as well as how those are affecting their everyday functioning.
Medication and Psychiatric Care
Medication is frequently an important part of treatment and depending on the symptoms, a qualified medical professional may prescribe antipsychotic medication, mood stabilizers, antidepressants or a combination of medications.
Medication decisions should be individualized and monitored by a prescribing professional, and changes in symptoms, side effects, physical health and treatment response can all influence medication management.
Psychotherapy and Behavioral Support
Psychotherapy can complement medication by helping clients understand their symptoms and build strategies for managing their mental health. Treatment may focus on:
- Recognizing changes in mood or thinking
- Identifying triggers and sources of stress
- Building coping skills
- Improving emotional regulation
- Developing healthier routines
- Strengthening relationships and communication
- Addressing co-occurring anxiety, trauma, depression or other concerns
- Creating strategies to maintain stability over time
Cognitive behavioral approaches can also help with developing ways to cope with symptoms of psychosis and reduce distress those experiences can cause.
San Diego Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment at Del Rae Behavioral Health
At Del Rae Behavioral Health, we provide individualized outpatient mental health care for adults with symptoms that can be safely and appropriately managed at an outpatient level of care.
Our San Diego schizoaffective disorder treatment approach doesn’t reduce a client to a diagnosis. We consider the symptoms they’re experiencing, how those symptoms affect daily life, previous treatment experiences, co-occurring concerns and the goals they want to work toward.
Depending on clinical appropriateness, treatment at Del Rae Behavioral Health may include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for relevant trauma-related concerns
- Brain mapping
- Sleep studies and sleep-focused support
- Holistic and experiential services
Our mental health therapy in San Diego is delivered in a co-ed inclusive environment with an emphasis on trust, connection and helping clients feel heard. Flexible daytime programming is also available to make structured treatment more manageable alongside appropriate work, school, family and personal responsibilities.
Not every therapy or clinical service is right for every person with schizoaffective disorder. Treatment recommendations are based on an individual assessment and the symptoms or co-occurring concerns that need to be addressed.
When To Seek Treatment for Schizoaffective Disorder
Professional treatment may be needed if psychotic or mood symptoms start interfering with relationships, work, school, self-care, decision-making or the ability to safely function in everyday life.
Signs someone may need additional support can include delusions or hallucinations that are getting worse, severe depression, increasingly disruptive manic symptoms, significant withdrawal from other people, trouble caring for basic needs or symptoms coming back after a period of being stable.
Outpatient treatment isn’t right for every situation. If a person is experiencing an immediate psychiatric crisis, can’t safely care for themselves or may be in danger of harming themselves or someone else, an emergency evaluation or a higher level of care may be needed.
Discover Why People Love Del Rae Behavioral Health
Hear firsthand why our care goes above and beyond to get people the help they need.
Find IndividualizedMental Health Treatment in San Diego
Schizoaffective disorder can be complex, especially when mood changes and symptoms of psychosis are affecting several areas of life at the same time. With appropriate treatment and consistent support, symptoms can be managed and greater stability is possible.
At Del Rae Behavioral Health, we provide individualized outpatient mental health care, looking beyond a diagnosis to understand the person experiencing it. If you or someone you care about is looking for support, our team can go over your symptoms, treatment history and current needs to determine if our San Diego outpatient program is an appropriate next step.
Alumni Support
Community Connections
Aftercare Planning
Frequently Asked Questions
Can schizoaffective disorder be treated?
Yes. Schizoaffective disorder can be managed with appropriate treatment, although ongoing care is often necessary. Treatment commonly combines medication, psychotherapy, psychosocial support and strategies for maintaining long-term stability.
Is schizoaffective disorder the same as schizophrenia?
No. Schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia share symptoms of psychosis, but schizoaffective disorder also involves substantial mood episodes. Clinicians will consider the timing and duration of psychotic and mood symptoms when they’re distinguishing between the conditions.
Can someone with schizoaffective disorder live independently?
Some people with schizoaffective disorder can live independently, work, maintain relationships and pursue personal goals, while others may need more ongoing support. Independence depends on factors like symptom severity, functioning, treatment response and access to appropriate support.
Does Del Rae Behavioral Health treat schizoaffective disorder in San Diego?
Del Rae Behavioral Health provides individualized outpatient mental health treatment in San Diego for clients whose needs are appropriate for this level of care. An assessment can help determine if outpatient treatment is suitable based on current symptoms, functioning, treatment history and clinical needs.
Request a Callback
"*" indicates required fields
Discover The Del Rae Difference
Del Rae Behavioral Health provides comprehensive outpatient behavioral health treatment in San Diego. Our approach is unique; we prioritize effective, evidence-based practices that truly make a difference in our clients’ lives. By focusing on personalized care and innovative techniques, we ensure that each individual receives the support they need to thrive mentally and emotionally. Our dedicated team is committed to helping you on your journey toward wellness and recovery, utilizing methods that have been proven to work.
