Indio, California’s Premier Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment Center

The two subtypes of schizoaffective disorder are schizoaffective bipolar type, which is characterized by episodes of mania and major depression, and schizoaffective depressive type, which is characterized by episodes of depression. The signs and symptoms of schizoaffective disorder can vary from person to person depending on several factors, including the type of mood episode the person is experiencing.  

Someone who has schizoaffective disorder may exhibit manic, psychotic, or depressive symptoms. Because of this, it is not uncommon for those who have schizoaffective disorder to be incorrectly diagnosed. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that many people who have schizoaffective disorder receive an incorrect initial diagnosis of either bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Typically, a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is made when the symptoms of psychosis and a mood disorder are present at the same time for a minimum of two weeks. 

A person who has schizoaffective disorder can experience the following symptoms: 

Symptoms of mania: 

• Being easily agitated or distracted 
• Increased energy or activity 
• Being more upbeat than usual 
• Inflated self-confidence  
• Unusual talkativeness 
• Rapid speech or racing thoughts 
• Restlessness 
• Decreased need for sleep 
• Engaging in risky or impulsive behaviors 

Symptoms of psychosis: 

• False perceptions or hallucinations 
• Delusions  
• Bizarre or confused thoughts 
• Strange or atypical behavior 
• Catatonia 
• Chaotic speech  
• Anxiety 
• Inappropriate emotional responses 
• Being out of touch with reality 

Symptoms of depression: 

• Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed 
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions 
• Low energy or fatigue 
• Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness 
• Low self-esteem 
• Sleep disturbances 
• Changes in weight or appetite 
• Thoughts of death or suicide  

If you are displaying any of the warning signs or symptoms of schizoaffective disorder listed above, we encourage you to seek the help of qualified clinicians at a reputable treatment center. Identifying schizoaffective disorder can be difficult, but at Coachella Valley Behavioral Health, we offer in-depth assessments to help provide our patients with an accurate diagnosis.  

According to NAMI, schizoaffective disorder is a somewhat rare condition, impacting only about 0.3% of the U.S. population.  

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) provides the following information about the prevalence of schizoaffective disorder in the U.S.: 

• An estimated 30% of schizoaffective disorder cases occur between the ages of 25 and 35. 
• Schizoaffective disorder affects more women than men. 
• Schizoaffective disorder occurs about one-third as frequently as schizophrenia, and it comprises approximately 10%-30% of inpatient hospitalizations for psychosis. 

If someone who is suffering from schizoaffective disorder does not get the help they need, they may face a range of challenges that can make it difficult to lead a productive life. Untreated schizoaffective disorder can impact a person’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being. 

Common effects of untreated schizoaffective disorder include:  

• Social withdrawal and isolation  
• Ongoing feelings of hopelessness  
• Legal troubles 
• Financial issues 
• Difficulty maintaining employment, relationships, or self-care 
• Homelessness  
• Loss of support from friends and family  
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors  
• Co-occurring mental health concerns or substance abuse 

It’s important to note that you can drastically reduce your risk for the above consequences with the right type and level of care. At Coachella Valley Behavioral Health, you can receive comprehensive, high-quality treatment to help you build a foundation for healing. When you choose our schizoaffective disorder treatment place, we will take the time to get to know you so that we can provide care that reflects your unique needs. We will strive to help you better understand your diagnosis and learn to manage symptoms so that you can live a healthier, more fulfilling life. 

Because schizoaffective disorder involves symptoms of two distinct mental illnesses, living with this condition can be incredibly challenging. People who have schizoaffective disorder not only struggle with symptoms of psychosis but also suffer from mania and/or depression. To learn how to effectively cope with a wide range of symptoms, it’s important for those who are suffering to seek help at a qualified schizoaffective disorder treatment center.  

At Coachella Valley Behavioral Health, we provide schizoaffective disorder treatment at the inpatient level, helping people who are in crisis stabilize so that they can safely progress to the next phase of their healing journey. With focused support from our compassionate team, you can make significant progress toward healing. 

Those who participate in our inpatient schizoaffective disorder treatment program can experience many benefits, including:  

• Improved productivity: We can help our patients learn to deal with stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations in a way that allows them to function better in their day-to-day lives. 
• Enhanced skills: Patients engage in therapeutic programming that can help them improve coping, problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills. 
• Increased insight: We educate our patients on their diagnoses to help them learn to cope with symptoms and reduce feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.  
• Better relationships: During therapy, patients can improve their communication and interpersonal skills, which they can use to mend strained relationships with loved ones.  
• Ability to change negative behaviors: We strive to empower our patients to take control of their lives and make the behavior changes needed to sustain wellness.  
• Improved overall health: Patients can learn to make healthier lifestyle choices and significantly improve their emotional, social, mental, and physical well-being. 

Located near Joshua Tree National Park in the Coachella Valley, Coachella Valley Behavioral Health is staffed by dedicated and experienced professionals who truly care about the well-being of our patients. During your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with a multidisciplinary team that includes medical staff, psychologists, therapists, and other behavioral health professionals.  

We understand that your healing journey is unique, and we are committed to providing you with treatment that meets your needs. When you choose to receive care at our schizoaffective disorder treatment place, you will complete an in-depth assessment that can help our team learn more about your physical and mental health history and other details that are relevant to your care.  

Using the information gleaned from your evaluation, we can create a highly personalized treatment plan that may include the following therapies and services: 

• Basic medical care delivered by doctors and nursing staff 
• Medication management services provided by a psychiatrist or other qualified healthcare professionals who prescribe medication and adjust the dosage as needed 
• Family therapy conducted by a licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical professional counselor, or licensed marriage and family therapist 
• Group therapy led by a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS), a behavioral health administrator, an art therapist, a music therapist, nurses, and other trained staff 
• Experiential therapies conducted by a CTRS, an art therapist, a music therapist, and yoga instructors 

Group and experiential therapies make up a large portion of each patient’s treatment, with sessions offered daily. Group sessions include process, psychoeducational, recreational, and trauma-focused groups, during which patients can gain insight into a range of relevant topics. Topics include trauma, coping skills, relationship skills, and managing thoughts and feelings. Experiential therapies give patients an opportunity to engage in activities, such as recreation, art, music, and yoga, that can help them process negative emotions.  

As part of each patient’s customized care, they receive a detailed aftercare plan at the end of treatment. We begin discharge planning after admission and continually evaluate and adjust each patient’s plan along the way to ensure that we include the referrals and resources they need. Whatever the next phase of your healing journey looks like, we want you to continue achieving milestones. Aftercare plans may include recommendations for follow-up services or a lower level of care.  

If you or someone you love is in need of immediate crisis care for behavioral health concerns, please do not delay finding the necessary help. Contact us today to learn more about the services we provide or how to begin the admissions process.  

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Coachella Valley Behavioral Health.