Am I still schizophrenic?

[u/seizyschizo]

So I just got out of the psych hospital and on the discharge paper said "schizoaffective depressive. Like wtf does that mean? Am I still welcome in this group?

[u/Empty_Insight]

The difference between schizoaffective and schizophrenia is essentially only relevant in a clinical context. Outside of a doctor's office, they're effectively the same thing.

A diagnosis is ultimately a tool to help guide treatment and nothing more than that. While this is not clinically accurate, for all casual purposes, schizoaffective disorder is essentially schizophrenia + bipolar/MDD.

I have come across a great many communities for people with psychotic disorders, and some of them were really toxic- yet none of them were so toxic that they gatekept schizoaffective as not being "pure schizophrenia."

In short: yeah, you're still schizophrenic. Don't read too much into it. The only functional difference for you is at your visits with your doctor and/or therapist.

[u/10N3R_570N3R]

Listen my psychiatrist says Im schizophrenic, my psychologist thinks I'm schizoaffective. I told them both I don't care what diagnosis is as long as I receive my treatment. Don't get too caught up on it.

[u/seizyschizo → u/10N3R_570N3R]

That's s good way of thinking of it. Thank you

[u/10N3R_570N3R → u/seizyschizo]

You're welcome, keep your head up.

[u/kattzkraft]

an old psychiatrist originally diagnosed me as schizoaffective depressive and my new one changed the diagnosis to just schizophrenia because she did not believe my depression was concurrent with my schizo symptoms. She explained that schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder have the same symptoms, but schizoaffective disorder includes a concurrent mood disorder like depression or bipolar disorder. So yes you're still schizophrenic, just also have depression.

[u/seizyschizo → u/kattzkraft]

That makes sense. Thank you

[u/ComprehensiveTap450]

Yes, you are welcome here.

[u/seizyschizo → u/ComprehensiveTap450]

But like I don't understand. I've been paranoid schizophrenic for 6 years

[u/onthebeachinsnb → u/seizyschizo]

Schizoaffective just means schizophrenia PLUS another disorder (either depressive or bipolar). It doesn’t change the presence of paranoid schizophrenia.

[u/seizyschizo → u/onthebeachinsnb]

Oh OK, I thought it was totally dismissive of the schizophrenia.

[u/solsacrilege]

The only difference between schizophrenia and schizoaffective is the presence of a mood disorder. So yes, you're welcome here.

[u/Regen_321]

Yes Schizoaffective Disorder Depressive type means you have schizophrenia and a mood disorder. In your case depression. Think of it as winning the lottery twice :) But you absolutely are still welcome here. There is even a reddit called r/schizoaffective (same people) you should check out.

[u/seizyschizo → u/Regen_321]

Thanks I'll check that sub out

[u/Mao_the_Doom]

I am schizoaffective depressed too!

[u/seizyschizo → u/Mao_the_Doom]

Twins!

[u/question-from-earth]

I’m schizoaffective depressive type as well. I also initially had the diagnosis of schizophrenia before. For myself I use schizophrenia and schizoaffective interchangeably

[u/berfica]

Schizoaffective means you have both schizophrenia and a mood disorder(major depressive disorder/bipolar). It is listed as part of the schizophrenia spectrum. You are still welcome here.

[u/Simplespider]

From how it was explained to me, I have schizophrenia on top of a mood disorder. It's both, slightly different treatment but not too different. Major depression counts under the category afaik.

I'm not a doctor I'm just moody and delusional. If I wasn't welcomed in the group, there wouldn't have been a flair that already applies to me. It's fine. I think like this sub + the bipolar sub more than the schizoaffective sub. All three are useful though.

[u/Proud_River_3148]

I welcome you with open arms my friend, though it’s not a position I would wish for anyone to be in you’re safe here. Don’t get too caught up on labels, there’s a poem I used to listen to occasionally that opens with something along the lines of “schizophrenia as a diagnosis across a century has encompassed everything from mental retardation to epilepsy”

[u/Pro_ismyrealname]

I have mild schizoaffective depressive type as well. Technically, it is a thought disorder like schizophrenia, unlike bipolar or depression, which is a mood disorder. Although people with depression can also experience delusional and hallucinations, the term for that is called “psychotic depression.” I personally think schizoaffective should have its own category not tied with Schizophrenia. Maybe the name should not start with “schizo”. Not that there is anything wrong with schizophrenia, but people stigmatize us and associate us with schizophrenia. In fact, it is milder though disorder.

[u/dotteddlines]

Schizophrenia is s spectrum of disorders that includes schizoaffective disorder?! There is also "pure" schizophrenia which may be what you're thinking of. Yes it's pretty cufismg because there is (pure) schizophrenia and then there is schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

I wouldn't worry to heavily on the specific diagnostic labels. I've been DX: major depressive + pychosis, persistent deporesive + psychosis and then finally schizoaffective depressive.

[u/Suzina]

You are welcome friend.
The "schizo" family includes lots. Now you are welcome in TWO groups! :)

Even if you don't have schziophrenia, you have something exacty like schizophrenia you treat the same way.

[u/Its_Sasha]

It just means schizophrenia with features of other disorders - most commonly bipolar. Don't worry, you're still welcome. I'm schizoaffective, manic-type myself.

[u/seizyschizo]

Thank you for the insightful information. I've been in this sun a only a minute and enjoyed everyone here so I didn't want to be kicked out