[Nix]

The last few times I went to my Pdoc, I checked the form they give us on the way out, and in the space that says "Principal diagnosis" there was a code. So I went home and looked it up, and both times it was the same code, and it's the code for Schizoaffective, undetermined type.

I know this should be a no brainer because I can just ask, but I haven't asked and I don't have another appointment for a few months. I sort of figured if my diagnosis has changed someone would have mentioned it to me. I called the clinic office regarding a disability application and asked about my diagnosis, and they said I still have a diagnosis of Bipolar.

My Pdoc told me that psychosis during episodes of mania or depression is bipolar, and that psychosis outside of mania and depression (in my case) would be schizoaffective.

But I've heard some people on this site talking about Schizoaffective Bipolar type and Bipolar Schizoaffective type. So I'm all kinds of confused. And I will probably just ask my Pdoc next time I go see him, but I'm just wondering if anyone can explain these terms to me.

i have never heard the term "bipolar schizoaffective type".
it's possible they had a typing error.

what your psychiatrist told you is correct about the difference between bp and sza.
there are only two types of sza; bp and depressive types.
obviously bp type includes mania while depressive type means "depressive mood" seems to override.

hope this helped a little.

[Nix]

It does help. Thanks.

[SillyKitty]

I haven't heard of bipolar Schizoaffective type either. There is bipolar with psychosis, when you have hallucinations while in a manic or depressive state.

[Gretchen Rain]

My doctor-psychiatrist say Schizoaffective automatically includes bipolar disease. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Gretchen Rain

My doctor-psychiatrist say Schizoaffective automatically includes bipolar disease. Hope this helps.

your psychiatrist is incorrect. there are two types of schizoaffective. one includes similarities to bi-polar but it does not "automatically include bipolar disease". and bi-polar is a disorder, not a disease.