I went to see a pdoc today (I never see the same pdoc). I was told that my diagnosis on paper is now officially schizoaffective. I am so relieved that I have found a team that actually believe me.
I was seeing this one pdoc for three years with the early intervention service (she did not see me in my episode the brief treatment team I saw before I met her did)… and every time I brought up the subject of mood symptoms, etc she would just brush it off as it being part of paranoid schizophrenia. That I was in denial. That I was making up everything I was experiencing. That I was doing it because I wanted to have bipolar. And then for a while I actually started to believe those things.
I know you guys will tell me the diagnosis does not matter as the treatment is the same. The treatment in fact is not the same. As I can now request other types of meds to bring some relief when required. For instance, they’ve said they may eventually introduce mood stabilizers.
There is a difference when it comes to treatment from SZ to SZA - You are right usually mood stabilizers are added on board with SZA. There is not a big difference between SZA and Bipolar type 1 with psychotic features, when it comes to treatment - at least you feel more comfortable with the new diagnosis
Seems to be so much confusion with schizoaffective as it’s still a fairly new diagnosis. They had me down as manic schizophrenia in the 80’s at one stage. But can’t seem to make up their minds now. So switch between SZ and SZA and both NOS. So I know how frustrating it is to get an answer. Main thing you have look at is the illness doesn’t define you, it’s just a part of who you are.
@anon80629714,
I’m glad you found a team that is helping you and will actively listen to you and work with you. It’s always great to have a medical team include you… the patient… in the conversation.