[LoveConfused]

Hello.. I just started talking/seeing someone diagnosed with schizoaffective. I have never been in a relationship with someone with a mental illness. There are a few questions/concerns I have. I'm not sure how ready he is to be open and I don't want to offend him, so I'm hoping soneone here can answer them for me. I don't mean to offend anyone. I'm just trying to understand more. First, his speech seems to be slower, more pauses, and he studders. Is this a symptom, medication side effect, or just him? Second, he says what or huh a lot like he doesn't understand me. Is this also a symptom? One more thing, he is very sexual lately, always making sexual jokes, talking about sex, and wants to have sex. I'm not sure if this a symptom, medication side effect, or from just getting out of the hospital. Are there any other symptoms I should be looking for? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[LoveConfused]

Also, he has mentioned masturbating once in a somewhat inappropriate place. I'm a little concerned about this.

[fluffybunniezz]

I would think that the sex thing is a symptom of mania, which is a symptom of schizoaffective. Now, I'm no doctor. But I think the rest is just him.

Sometimes I studder. I tend to studder more when I am manic, but it can happen at any time. It also happens when I am nervous. The medicine risperdal had made my studdering a lot worse. So, it could just be him. It could be his medicines if he takes any. It could be mania.

I tend to say huh a lot too. The schizophrenia part my schizoaffective disorder causes my mind to be foggy and scrambled up. Sometimes I say things that make no sense. Sometimes I have a hard time understanding other people because of my mind. It is like a dense jungle. It is very hard to find my way around. Medicines can also do this. It is a combination of the schizoaffective disorder and the medicine. Ansipsychotics sometimes slow people down and slow their reaction times. This stuff may be what is happening to him. Just be slow and take your time when you talk to him. Be sure to give him a bit of time to respond. That will definitely help him out.

As for being more sexual lately, it could be mania, like fluffybunniezz said.

I hope that this helps you.

[lil-angel-wings]

Every Person Is so different, That It could be Meds, Him or symptoms of some part. You would only truly know if you asked His T or PDoc. I suggest that you start reading up on SZ, and SZA, also Bi-polar and Depression. Also other mental illness's. Get as much information as you can. The more you educate your self the more you will understand when he is struggling with his illness and how you can help and cope. It is not always easy being with anyone, but the more you know the better for both concerned.