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Common Mental
Health Issues
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Recognizing Adolescent Schizoaffecive Disorders
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness with symptoms of psychosis along with symptoms of a mood disorder.
Types Of Schizoaffecive Disorders
Psychosis
- Delusions : are beliefs that something is true or right when it is not. These false beliefs do not go away even if there is proof that they are not true. Individuals may believe that someone is spying on them or that people are controlling their mind. They may believe that certain gestures, articles from books, or songs are about them. They may believe there is something wrong with how their body works.
- Hallucinations : Individuals may see, hear, smell, feel or tasted things that are not there. The most common hallucination is hearing voices. Individuals may believe someone is telling them to do things or threatening them.
- Disordered speech : Individuals may be talking about things that do not make sense. They make up their own words or sounds, and move from one subject to another.
- Disorganized behavior : Individuals may behave differently than normal. Their movements may become very slow and stiff. They may dress in strange clothing. They may have mood swings (being very happy one moment then very angry the next). They may find themselves suddenly screaming, or being very quiet and not talking at all. Individuals may have trouble remembering things.
- Negative symptoms : include lack of expression and words. Individuals may not show any emotion when talking to others. They may avoid eye contact, and have limited body movements or gestures. Their answers to questions may be very brief. Individuals may have decreased or loss of ability to start and continue a planned activity. They may sit for long periods and show little interest in work or social activities.
Mood symptoms
- Depression : Individuals feel very sad, or tearful, are most of the day or nearly everyday. Individuals may have lost interest in taking care of themselves and the activities they enjoy. They may loose weight without dieting or gain weight. Their appetite for food may also be increased or decreased. They may have trouble sleeping or feel sleepy most of the time. It is difficult to think, concentrate or make decisions. They may feel hopeless and helpless and have thoughts about death.
- Manic : Individuals have increased self-esteem and feel very energetic even with little or no sleep. They are more talkative and have thoughts racing in their mind. They are easily distracted and have an increased interest in social activities.
- Mixed : Individuals have symptoms of being both depressed and manic.
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