Are there any websites or supports in central alberta for schizoaffective disorder?
My partner was diagnosed schizoaffective with manic type bipolar about 17 years ago.
It’s chaotic and very draining on my emotional and mental state, and I dont know how to NOT trigger him, his illness is guided by his emotions, and conversations turn into debates mo matter how I try to express things, and when I look for resources or knowledge, I can’t find much regarding schizoaffective disorder
The groups are for general mental health it seems like and not necessarily groups for schizoaffective by itself. They might help though.
2. Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance (S&PAA)This national nonprofit supports people living with schizophrenia and schizophrenia‑related illnesses (including schizoaffective disorder):
Peer Support Groups: Weekly conference call and Zoom meetings with others on the psychosis spectrum.
Schizophrenia Alliance: Peer‑organized self‑help groups that meet in person or online.
Family Support Groups: For caregivers and loved ones of people with psychosis spectrum conditions.
These are helpful if you want support from others who share experiences of psychosis or schizoaffective symptoms
Elyn Saks who was alternately diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder mentioned that she frequented bipolar support groups, because schizophrenia support groups weren’t always helpful. I’ve been diagnosed both ways as well, along with “unspecified psychotic disorder” and haven’t found peer schizophrenia groups particularly helpful.
In speaking with a previous psychiatrist I called schizoaffective disorder a bit of a garbage bag diagnosis and he laughed and agreed and said it really is. It tends to be used when psychiatrists don’t quite know what to make of your bag of symptoms which explains why “high functioning” people with schizophrenia like Elyn Saks sometimes get this diagnosis. Doctors so rarely encounter people like her, they feel it necessary to make this distinction.