[imaginethat]

Has anyone ever been told you might have schizoaffective disorder? My new pdoc diagnosed me with it, and I'm not convinced it's true.

You're diagnosed with it if your paranoid episodes occur outside mania and depression. I told her "yes", but looking back, I know that I'm also paranoid during depression. It really doesn't matter...I'm typically paranoid all of the time.

I don't want to have to put down my diagnosis on forms as schizoaffective disorder. That seems so negative and scary and damning. I'd much rather say that I'm bipolar.

Do you think I can change her mind if I tell her all of this?

[HALLIEBETH87]

Well my pdoc still says bipolar 1 w/ psychotic features but my psychologist says no I hVe sZa bipolar type and actually it fits me better. I DO get paranoia and hallucinations outside of mood episodes.

I'm paranoid, )it I've never told anyone, especially a doc.

I feel telling them could worsen my behavior, especially when I'm in public.

But shrinks take all that into account and basing the dx on just one condition, kind of a step backwards in modern science, no?

I’m prone to paranoia in a mixed mood....when depressed or manic...I could care less.

schizoaffective was one of the things my old pdoc wanted to see me for a bit to rule out, but he left the practice after two visits. I do have some psychotic symptoms outside of mania or depression though.

But like everyone here has told me, the diagnosis doesn't matter at all.

[MistressStayc]

Originally Posted by AlwaysChanging2

I’m prone to paranoia in a mixed mood....when depressed or manic...I could care less.

This is me I think. I have slight situational paranoia going on all the time but it gets really pronounced when I am mixed. Yet I have never once thought I was even close to schizoaffective because it's never grandiose like people are out to get me or stuff like that.

It can't hurt to talk to her more about it if you don't agree.

[HALLIEBETH87]

In the end jt really doesn't matter as the treatment is the same but I understand wanting to know

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by MistressStayc

This is me I think. I have slight situational paranoia going on all the time but it gets really pronounced when I am mixed. Yet I have never once thought I was even close to schizoaffective because it's never grandiose like people are out to get me or stuff like that.

It can't hurt to talk to her more about it if you don't agree.

Here isa recent entry from my blog. Thoughts?

The People
My brain just said to me: "Take your phone in case the people come to get you while youre upstairs."

I've been thinking I'd heard people in my hallway, room' on the stairs, opening the door...

Now the people are actually here to get me. I had to decide what order to do things because of these people being here.

[MiddleAgedManic]

Originally Posted by imaginethat

Has anyone ever been told you might have schizoaffective disorder? My new pdoc diagnosed me with it, and I'm not convinced it's true.

I've been diagnosed Schizoaffective Bipolar Type (in 2001-2003) because on a pencil-and-paper test I said i've heard voices outside of a mood episode, and for 15 years I stopped paying attention to bipolar resources, limiting myself to schizoaffective resources (they are limited). However, every doctor, therapist, and hospital who has seen me this year has diagnosed me Bipolar, including a doctor I've seen for ten years. My point, (1) you don't get to choose your diagnosis, but (2) don't rule out bipolar resources. Bipolar and schizoaffective have same meds and same treatment. Essentially Schizoaffective means you're more likely to qualify for disability and other insurance coverage, but otherwise is the exact same thing as Bipolar.

[Fuzzybear]

The label doesn’t matter too much if the pdoc has compassion and is competent. Imo.

[imaginethat]

I don't want to have to fill out forms and say that I have schizoaffective disorder. There's less of a stigma with bipolar disorder. Any word with schizo in it conjures up ideas of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

[Victoria'smom]

Just put in the paperwork you're bipolar. SzA is scary at first but it help guide what medication you take. My husband has BP he's on a mood stablizer and an antidepressant. I'm SzA and on a mood stablizer and antipsychotic. My son is between Dx's and is on an antipsychotic, mood stablizer, and antidepressant.

[UpDownAround]

My paranoia is usually mild, but I get it. When I get rational again, it's kind of spooky that I went there and really believed things that are obviously not right.

Doctor, Doctor help me please, I know you'll understand
There's a time device inside of me, I'm a self-destructin' man
...
Silly boy ya' self-destroyer.
Paranoia, the destroyer

Do you have PTSD?

I’m surprised that pdocs don’t check for this, given how common it is.

I’m not clear on how that can be so easily dx’d.