[RamblinClementine]

Hello,

Is it typical for those with schizoaffective disorder to NOT have hallucinations? My brother has been diagnosed schizoaffective and does have many of the symptoms, but not that one in particular.

I am concerned because he has agreed to take anti-psychotics as part of his rehab.

Thanks

[Erti]

Does he have delusions?

[RamblinClementine]

I'm not sure. What are delusions defined as?

[Erti]

false belief: a persistent false belief held in the face of strong contradictory evidence

[RamblinClementine]

I'm not totally sure. If he were willing to answer that question if he does have delusions, I would be surprised. Usually these days, since his diagnosis, he is pretty silent most of the time, has a flat affect, walks differently and has different posture.

He does hide when we're in public, he moves somewhere so that he can be isolated. Like if I buy him something to eat he'll go and hide before I'm done ordering.

I just don't want him to take medicine that isn't right for him. Then again he is against taking any medicine at all. He's just agreed to so that he can get out of jail early.

[Erti]

Odd. Usually schizophrenia isn't diagnosed unless they are suffering for negative and positive symptoms. He has to be suffering from a positive symptoms to be considered having schizophrenia. From my understanding about schizoaffective is that it's mild schizophrenia with a mood disorder.

[RamblinClementine]

Hmph. Most of the symptoms seemed aligned with what he's showing, just not the delusions/hallucinations

[krisakira]

This should help

Schizoaffective Disorder is characterized by the presence of one of the following:

Major Depressive Episode(must include depressed mood)
Manic Episode
Mixed Episode

As well as the presence of at least two of the following symptoms, for at least one month:

Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)
Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
Negative symptoms (e.g., affective flattening, alogia, avolition)

If your brother has 2 of the second category neither one of them has to be hallucinations or delusions. He could have disorganized speech, negative symptoms, or disorganized behavior symptoms and still fit the criteria.

Also, antipsychotics are not JUST for hallucinations. It simply means they attempt to control the level of dopamine (usually) which is responsible for schizophrenia like symptoms or severe mood fluctuations. Hence why some people with bipolar disorder are on antipsychotics too. Even some people with depression are on them (ex. Abilify).

[krisakira]

PS... There is nothing in the DSM that says Schizoaffective disorder includes MILD schizophrenic symptoms. They always can range from mild to severe, just as any other disorder. Please do not use the term mild for my diagnosis. I have been to hell and back.

[Erti]

Geez calm down. It was only a misunderstanding. I'm not trying to minimize your illness.

[krisakira]

Then please refrain from calling any specific disorder as being mild or severe, as every case is different. Thank you.

[Erti]

Thanks for putting my already bad mood into a worse one.

[RamblinClementine]

Thanks for your help. I still don't think he has two of those you listed, krisakira. Are there any other types of disorders or mental illnesses that are closely related?

Of course I'm not a psychiatrist and I don't know the ins and outs of these things.

[dillpickle1983]

I believe I have mild or less severe schizoaffective as I rarely have symptoms. But when I do it goes into full swing.

[Victoria'smom]

Only my husband, therapist and psychiatrist know I become delusional, hallutionate, grossly disorganized, and cationic. Even though I live with my in-laws they are totally clueless.

[Secretum]

I have to second Miguel's Mom; it is possible to be psychotic and have no one notice, especially since many people with psychosis are withdrawn, and therefore less likely to reveal their delusional beliefs. This is especially true if the people around the psychotic person are in deep denial, as family members often are. My parents acted completely surprised when I was diagnosed with a mental illness, despite the fact that I had previously discussed some very bizarre ideas with them.

[Rand.]

Pretty much what Secretum said. No one would ever know how delusional I'd been for many many years unless I had told them which I wouldn't have because my delusions prevented me from it. The only way someone would have found out is if they suspected and/or asked me in a way that made me think they already knew. Not saying this is how it is for your brother, just how it was for me.

[worthit]

I stayed quiet and numb for decades. Finally got some help. None of my friends would believe it. I had to tell them about the voices,hallucinations and delusional thinking.

Sent from my VS920 4G using Tapatalk

[schizoaffective]

Ditto the previous 4 postings.

Even I had trouble believing it - until I started writing letters to myself urging myself to get help. That was the best thing I ever did. Who knows what would have happened otherwise?