Schizoaffective Treatment
One client described his descent into schizoaffective disorder: “I started sleeping all day and staying up all night. Some nights I had crazy energy, writing manifestos. But usually I felt catatonic and listened to music with my headphones on for hours and hours. I would pace back and forth in my room. My parents didn’t know what to do with me.”
Treatment at Morningside Recovery for schizoaffective disorder usually involves carefully prescribed medication, cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy and social skills training. Medications used to treat schizoaffective disorder include antipsychotic medications, antidepressants and mood stabilizers. The clinical staff at Morningside works hard to stay current on new medications that might benefit a particular individual with schizoaffective disorder. Antipsychotic medications are usually the first line of treatment and are effective for reducing psychotic symptoms. Treatment at Morningside recognizes that it is important to adjust dosage after stabilization so that clients aren’t over medicated. After psychotic symptoms wane, any mood symptoms are best treated with antidepressants. Once the right combination is found, clients with schizoaffective disorder usually respond well to medication. One client describes his experience with medications: “I felt numb, like a zombie. Other meds did nothing or just made me irritated. Then I would get on the right stuff and it was like taking nothing -- but in a good way. I felt normal.” Thus, the clinical staff is always monitoring medications and seeking to manage any side-effects.
Morningside’s clinicians know that the right medications also have better effects on mood symptoms. However, all medications have side effects, especially at higher doses, and that’s why around-the-clock monitoring and medication management at Morningside is so crucial. Different antipsychotic drugs have somewhat different side effect profiles and our staff trained in indentifying these and intervening, if necessary. Often, clients will be changed from one antipsychotic to another one if they are not responding well to the first medication. The same principle applies to the use of antidepressants or mood stabilizers, which often aid in therapy.
Morningside Recovery offers a number of therapeutic approaches. Cognitive therapy focuses on changing patterns of negative thinking and beliefs. The basis of cognitive therapy is that beliefs trigger thoughts, which then trigger feelings and produce behaviors. Cognitive therapy strategies include rational self-talk, reality testing, attention training, cognitive challenging and cognitive restructuring.
Because there is no “cure” for schizoaffective disorder, a big part of treatment is social skills training. Clients learn how to handle real-life situations by taking charge of their disease and recognizing symptoms. This basically means learning to live in the world as it is, not as we may want it to be. Schizoaffective disorder often strikes highly intelligent individuals who benefit from studying the physiology of the disorder, and understanding their body’s response. This can be a way to free themselves from guilt or shame.
Testimonials
