[Hydrophobic1212]

Okay, so as I've said, I've been recently diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder after so many years of being Bipolar.

I have been trying to read up on it, to understand it more, but I really am having difficulty finding information on it.

So here are my questions:

1. What is it exactly?
2. Are there really subtybes? (Bipolar and Depressive) Can it just be Schizoaffective Disorder WITHOUT the subtype?
3. Is it a mood disorder or a psychotic disorder? Is it a branch off a mood disorder or is it a type of Schizophrenia? (What I've read said there's a lot of debate on this, but many agree it's a type of Schizophrenia).
4. If I've been considered Bipolar all my life and my pdoc says it's not uncommon for symptoms to become present as you get older, does that still mean I'm bipolar and Schizoaffective (he told me I have Schizoaffective Disorder. NO mention of subtypes, that's all he said)? Or is this where the subgroup would come in? This question is more a hypothetical sort of one, since obviously you can't diagnose me.

I think that about sums up the questions I have on it right now. Thanks in advance with helping me to understand this better!

[Tsunamisurfer]

Hi Hydro.

Schizoaffective is a handy label that describes a condition that acknowledges the presence of a mood disorder (such as bipolar in your case) and a thought / psychotic disorder that is not accounted for purely by the mood disorder.

Your question of subtypes highlights the benefit of labelling. I think from a treatment perspective it is vital that you are able to communicate your bipolar condition to any new pdoc or hospital in order to avoid incorrect treatment.

From this perspective, it is useful for you to think of your condition as Schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.

I'm no medical professional, but that is my take on it.