What’s the difference between schizoaffective disorder and bipolar with psychotic features?

DX'd - Other
1

So for a while I’ve been saying I’ve been misdiagnosed as schizoaffective. Several clinicians/doctors have agreed that it’s not SZA including my most recent prescriber and clinician but several other doctors have also said it’s probably SZA. My new pdoc is now saying it’s most likely bipolar with psychotic features which I agree with a bit more. Does anyone have any articles or resources I could use to see the differences in these diagnoses myself? I’ve already read the relevant pages of the DSM and still not sold on one diagnosis or the other. Any help is appreciated!

2

Basically, how would a doctor be able to differentiate between SZA and bipolar with psychotic features?

3

As far as I know - in bipolar with psychosis the psychosis only happens when either manic or depressed
In schizoaffective the psychosis happens not only in mood episodes but also when mood is normal.

4 Likes
4

Yeah I am bipolar with psychotic features and I only get psychotic when in a full manic episode. Although I can at times experience mild hallucinations with a stable mood, I still retain a level grasp on really

1 Like
5

Is this the main differentiating feature of the two? I’ve only had psychosis during mood symptoms so I can definitely see this being possible

6

I get thought insertion and voices sometimes even in normal mood. So my pdoc said I have sza

1 Like
7

Yes as far as I know that’s the main difference

8

Thank you! 151515

1 Like
9

Front what I recall reading through a Mayo newsletter (which I can’t locate at the moment): The only difference between these two has to do with the relationship between any psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations) and mood symptoms. People with schizoaffective bipolar type have psychotic symptoms at times when they don’t have significant mood symptoms. People with bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms only have psychotic symptoms when they are manic or depressed.

1 Like
10

There can be few differences between both disorders.
My doctor is confused.

11

It’s a very inexact science . If mood symptoms that are present during a psychotic episode are not picked up on then you could be mistakenly dxed schizoaffective rather than bipolar.

1 Like
12

What if you have psychotic symptoms during mood episodes and when your mood is stable? That’s what happens to me. The psychotic symptoms never stop but at the moment I am retaining insight.

13

I get psychosis both in normal mood times and in depression/hypomania so my pdoc diagnosed me sza

14

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.