Schizoaffective Symptoms?
Hello, I’m in need of some help.
I was wondering what some common schizoaffective (or bipolar/schizophrenia) symptoms were. I believed I was bipolar for about a year or two, but am now thinking I may have schizoaffective disorder instead.
More specifically, would anyone be able to clarify what the differences are?
I have visual hallucinations (mild) nearly constantly (colors, flashing lights). Some of them have been more intense, but for personal reasons I will not share them. I also have some auditory hallucinations (people talking to each other, people talking to me, music, footsteps). I have had some tactile hallucinations (feeling people poking me or petting me). I can typically tell these are hallucinations. I did not realize they were until about a year ago.
I have had some delusions in the past (believing I am a religious figure, debilitating jinxing thoughts, etc.). I have never fully acted on them, as in exhibiting risky behavior like jumping off of buildings or being violent. I do have a really terrible urge to be violent sometimes and it prevents me from functioning. I’m worried about losing control of myself.
I have said some upsetting or bizarre things to people, not realizing they were or just because they were what I believed.
I am currently experiencing what I think is called ambivalence. For at least the past two weeks or so, I haven’t been able to feel happiness without sadness at the same time. I hate everyone I love. I’m concerned.
Please let me know if you have any information. Thank you.
[If it should help, I am 17 and my sex is female.]
I am aware that this is not the place for a diagnosis, but if anyone might have an idea of what my situation might be, please let me know. If you’d like to know any other information, I’d be more than happy to provide. I’m somewhat desperate to have someone voice their opinion on what might be going on with me because it’s really hard for me to personally discern.
I've was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder a few years ago, and I'm not trying to give any diagnosis or medical advice but I'm hoping sharing my experiences will help. Symptoms relating to bipolar disorder work in tandem with symptoms relating to schizophrenia, meaning the more manic I am the more active my hallucinations and paranoia etc become. The more depressed I get, at a certain point the hallucinations get worse as well, reflective of my emotional state (manic hallucinations are more aggressive and volatile while depressed hallucinations tend to just be more cynical and encourage the downward spiral). Symptoms and experiences would be a long list, but I feel like this is a fairly brief and broad synopsis of my experiences. I'd be happy to answer in more detail if you'd like
This sounds similar to what I am experiencing. Although I have hallucinations nearly constantly, they do seem to worsen during my ups and downs.
If you don’t mind me asking, do you experience ambivalence? I’m experiencing it at a much higher intensity than I ever have and I am curious how long it lasts. What is your ambivalence like as well?
Thank you so much for your response.
@lovingJar2789 You're right, 7 Cups is not the place to get a diagnosis. The differences between these closely related disorders (bipolar, schophrenia, schizoaffective) are very complicated and confusing, even for professionals.
Anyway, I read the what the official manual, DSM-5-TR, has to say about this. The main difference between bipolar and schizoaffective is whether psychotic symptoms (delusions or hallucinations) are linked with mood symptoms (depression or mania). If you only get delusions or hallucinations during an episode of depression or mania, they tend to call that bipolar. If you have delusions or hallucinations at different times from episodes of depression or mania, they tend to call that schizoaffective. This is my oversimplification of the tangled web of diagnostic criteria.
I notice that the only thing you mention (in this thread) that prevents you from functioning is your terrible urge to be violent at times, and your worry about losing control of yourself. Perhaps this is the most serious aspect of your situation, and the one that you might initially approach your doctor about.
Charlie
My situation does then sound more like schizoaffective disorder. Thank you for the explanation and advice, I will try to contact my doctor as soon as I can.
Thank you for your response.
