I rarely tell others about my diagnosis, but whenever I bring up Schizoaffective Disorder to certain people like family members, they have no idea what I am talking about.
There are Health professionals that have never heard or understand the illness.
Most people know what schizophrenia is or bipolar basically is- Schizoaffective leaves many of them scratching their heads.
I have to explain to them that its where schizophrenia meets bipolar in my case.
In some ways its frustrating having a mental disorder that most people, other than pdocs never heard of.
Sometimes Schizoaffective disorder is considered a Waste Basket Diagnosis.
Psychiatrists sometimes gives the patient this diagnosis when they are not certain if the patient has either schizophrenia or bipolar, or they are uncertain with a sure fire diagnosis.
In some ways my pdoc is confused as to whether I have Schizoaffective disorder or bipolar type 1 - She is covering her bases by diagnosing me with Schizoaffective disorder, this is my official diagnosis for now.
I do agree with you and it could be over diagnosed.
Some experts want to do away with this diagnosis, but it does exist in the new DSM 5.
Well I personally think that diagnosis is important, as it can be used as an outline for therapy, but docs treat symptoms. I mean my therapist gave me his cell in case I have an acute exacerbated and agitated little trip because he knows my case is chronic with acute exacerbation. I have had to call him a few times.
Some people hate diagnosis but I am more of a scientist at this point in my life, not close to a practitioner yet. Practitioners often dislike diagnosis, scientists love it, and scientist-practitioners use diagnosis only when it facilitates treatment (practice).
I have been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder twice now, I know most people never heard of it. That’s ok with me, but I don’t think its an overall mild form of schizophrenia. I have seen people with severe schizoaffective disorder that was more severe than some forms of schizophrenia. I think it varies by case basis.