Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Schizoaffective Disorder

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness combining elements from both schizophrenia and mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or depression. Failing to meet clear diagnostic criteria for either disorder alone, patients may be diagnosed by psychiatrists as having schizoaffective disorder. Medication is the first choice line of treatment for schizoaffective disorder, including a combination of antipsychotics, antidepressants and anxiolytic medications. However, a psychiatrist may forego prescribing antidepressants to a patient who is prone to manic episodes because these may trigger mania; this process is known as switching.

Scheduling pleasurable activities is part of CBT. Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

In addition to medication, persons with schizoaffective disorders may be treated by therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). For example, studies have shown that a combination of CBT and medication was more successful in treating major depression than was medication alone. Similarly, inpatients who received CBT and benefited from social support were institutionalized less often, and their hospital stays were shorter. CBT is a time limited therapy meant to last a certain finite number of sessions, with occasional maintenance sessions afterwards. The main assumption in CBT is that our thoughts influence our feelings and behaviours, which in turn contribute to dysfunctional thinking patterns, perpetuating an unhealthy vicious circle. By noticing and changing our cognitions, we can influence our feelings and actions, which is done by a system of written records, assignments and homework together with a CBT therapist.

Antipsychotic medication targets the chemical imbalance in the brain. Image: Megan Jorgensen (Elena)

Many problems are associated with mental illness in general, and with schizoaffective disorder in particular. For example, people with schizoaffective disorder are more likely to live in poverty or to become homeless. Also, stress plays an important role in the development of the disease and triggers may facilitate a relapse. Thus, a person’s social, family and financial situation must be taken into account when suggesting treatment, as stressors interact with genetic, biological and other environmental factors in the advent, development and course of the mental illness.