Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment Center for Children & Adolescents in Missouri

Learn More About Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment at Lakeland Behavioral Health System in Missouri

Schizoaffective disorder is a very serious mental illness that includes features from two different mental illnesses – schizophrenia and a mood disorder. People who have schizoaffective disorder often experience a wide range of symptoms that can make diagnosis of this disorder a major challenge. When properly diagnosed, the treatment approach for schizoaffective disorder generally includes treatments for both schizophrenia and the mood disorder. Individuals who have schizoaffective disorder will experience one of two types of the disorder – depressive type or bipolar type. Diagnosis of the type of schizoaffective disorder is dependent upon the presence of mania or depression in addition to the symptoms of schizophrenia.

People who suffer from schizoaffective disorder experience hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms of schizophrenia along with mood-related changes. Those who have schizoaffective disorder depressive-type will display symptoms of major depressive disorder. These may include feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, disrupted eating and sleeping patterns, a depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts. Individuals with bipolar-type schizoaffective disorder will display symptoms of mania. Manic symptoms can include increased energy, decreased need for sleep, heightened levels of distractibility, fast speech, increased impulsive behaviors, and risky behaviors. The symptoms of this disorder can lead to major problems in an individual’s life.

With proper treatment, medication, and support, schizoaffective disorder can be controlled. At Lakeland’s behavioral health center in Missouri, we understand how challenging living with schizoaffective disorder can be and how much this disorder can impact your life. We’ll work alongside you as you learn to cope with your symptoms, adjust to your medications, and learn to regain control over your life.

Why Consider Treatment for Schizoaffective Disorder at Lakeland Behavioral Health System in Missouri

If left untreated and unmanaged, schizoaffective disorder can result in catastrophic life circumstances. Individuals may find that they cannot hold down a job and are forced to rely on loved ones to support them. They may be unable to function in society as their erratic behaviors may lead to an inability to function outside the home. They may find that their social network has abandoned them, unsure of what to expect next. They may feel desperate and alone, fearful of what the future may bring. They may even consider suicide as a way of ending their misery.

Life with schizoaffective disorder does not have to be this way. At Lakeland’s behavioral health clinic, we understand that living with schizoaffective disorder has caused major problems in your life. Our multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals are dedicated to helping individuals just like you recover from this disorder so that you can go on to live a happy, normal, and productive life.

Lakeland Behavioral Health System’s Philosophy and Benefits

Our philosophy at Lakeland Behavioral Health in Missouri is that individuals who are struggling with acute psychiatric conditions such as schizoaffective disorder should spend time away from the stresses of everyday life in order to focus on stabilizing their symptoms. In our caring and empathetic environment, you’ll be able to take the time to work with our amazing staff in order to focus on your healing and recovery. You’re more than just a constellation of symptoms to us; we want to get to know you personally – your likes and dislikes, your worries and fears, and the struggles you face. Together, we’ll create a plan of care that matches your individual needs and helps to address all areas of your healing – mind, body, and soul. We understand how frightening it can be to seek inpatient care for your schizoaffective disorder, and we’re incredibly proud to be a part of your treatment team.

Types of Schizoaffective Treatment Offered at Lakeland Behavioral Health System in Missouri

When you come to us for help, you’ll first undergo a thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation to ascertain how we can best help you. Our psychiatric evaluation will allow us to gain a full picture of what you are struggling with, the presence of any co-occurring disorders, and your greatest challenges. This information will be used to create a unique plan of care for you.

At Lakeland’s behavioral health clinic, we’ve found that the best way to manage schizoaffective disorder is through a combination of medications and therapeutic interventions. Medication is often used to control the symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations. Many individuals will be placed on an anti-psychotic medication to reduce the psychotic symptoms experienced by those who have schizophrenia. The dose and frequency will be closely monitored to ensure that the medication is having the intended effect. It may be determined that you need additional medications to control the mood disorder symptoms of your disorder as well. The decision to use medication will be the decision of your treatment team.

Individual therapy will be used to provide one-on-one time to address specific issues. You may wish to talk about the ways in which schizoaffective disorder has impacted your life and problematic relationships in your life.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a therapeutic method that we use at Lakeland to help target the way you think about your disorder. This type of therapy focuses upon the ways in which you view the world and allows you to work with a therapist to see the world in a more realistic fashion.

Group therapy allows you to spend time with other individuals who have similar problems so that you can grow, learn, and heal together. We’ll hold groups to teach you more about your disorder and the importance of sticking to a treatment plan as well as to allow you the opportunity to process emotions about your disorder.

Family is an integral part of treatment for individuals who have schizoaffective disorder. Through family sessions, we’ll work with you to help educate your loved ones about your disorder, the treatment, and the progress you are making, as well as how best to help you as you recover. In addition, we will allow your loved ones the chance to share how your schizoaffective disorder has impacted their lives. We’ll also provide your loved ones with connections to available community resources in order to allow for continued healing.

In addition to the standard types of therapy, we tailor our treatment plans to include experiential therapies to compliment your care. These therapies may include:

• Art therapy
• Pet therapy
• Recreational programs
• Relaxation therapy
• Group outings

Continuing Care and Levels of Treatment for Schizoaffective Disorder

When your time with us at Lakeland’s behavioral health clinic in Missouri draws to a close, we’ll work closely with you and your loved ones to develop a plan of care that meets your continuing care needs. Some individuals feel a residential program will best fit their needs for a similarly structured environment to continue their recovery. Others may step-down to a less intensive program such as a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Still others may have made enough progress in our inpatient care center that they may discharge to home. In this case, we’ll provide you with referrals to outpatient treatments and available community resources to allow for your continued recovery.