I was first diagnosed bipolar when I was 25. I went manic and heard things that weren't there and I thought I was a messenger for God. A mood stabilizer nipped it in the bud. But when I was diagnosed as schizoaffective, my hallucinations were frightening and very different. They were hallucinations of persecution (poisoning, atrocities taking place around me, paranoia, etc.). So, I wonder if it's the type of hallucinations that distinguish one diagnosis from the other. Or, could the hallucinations I had during mania be caused by a change in mood - high, thinking I'm greater than I am... And the hallucinations as a person with schizoaffective disorder be caused by thoughts gone completely wild?? I do know that on a daily basis it's my thoughts that give me more trouble than my mood, but the first definitely effects the last. I agree, it's a fine line - I've mentioned before on this site that I think a person needs to be in the hospital for a couple of weeks to get the right diagnosis.

Thanks for the response. I've just been posting lately on whatever thread I relate to, and, for the most part, on whatever forum that may be. I like to try my best to connect, even though I feel rejected half the time - how many threads I've ended!