ADEONA Healthcare Rancho San Diego is a behavioral health center specializing in the care and treatment of adolescents ages 12 to 17 with mental health disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, as well as co-occurring addictions and other behavioral problems. Accredited by The Joint Commission, our facility allows our teen patients to enjoy outdoor activities while receiving state-of-the-art care from our respected therapists.
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, as well as symptoms of a mood disorder, such as mania or depression. Due to the fact that the disorder shares symptoms of other conditions, it can be difficult to diagnose at first. The disorder is less studied than schizophrenia or mood disorders, and treatment strategies from both are incorporated into the treatment of the condition.
The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder can be profound and require close observation. Some patients may show symptoms of depression, while others have bipolar disorder symptoms. Individual teens will show varying symptoms, which include:
“Schizoaffective disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, as well as symptoms of a mood disorder, such as mania or depression.”
Although a specific cause is unknown, a combination of causes is thought to contribute to the condition, including:
With a combination of schizophrenia and depressive or bipolar disorder, diagnosis can be difficult. To confirm diagnosis, a teen must present the following symptoms:
Psychiatric medications such as antipsychotics and antidepressants influence brain chemicals that regulate thoughts and emotions. Most clinicians prescribe an initial low dose of a particular medication and observe the effects. Because each person is an individual, what works best for some may not work as well for others, and it may take a little time before the most effective medication is found.
Cognitive behavioral therapy involves one-on-one sessions between patient and therapist for a limited number of sessions. A therapist teaches a patient to identify and become aware of inaccurate or negative thoughts so that challenging situations can be responded to in a healthier and more positive manner. Coping techniques are learned so that a patient may access and use them even after treatment is completed.
Self-management provides patients with options for beneficial lifestyle changes to cope with symptoms or side effects of treatment. Self-management may be taught by mental health professionals or peer support workers who have experienced mental health problems themselves.
In addition to clinical treatment, ADEONA Healthcare Rancho San Diego offers fun, therapeutic activities including equine therapy, yoga, hiking in nearby canyons and field trips to local places of interest.
An on-site academic program, EDGE is available, offering a small classroom with top-of-the-line technology, a gender specific learning environment, an academic facilitator and tutors at a ratio of 1-to-5. Each teen has 1.5 hours daily in EDGE, 7.5 hours a week, to work on academics.
If you would like further information about schizoaffective disorder or ADEONA Healthcare’s treatment programs, please call our 24/7 helpline to speak with a member of our team.
