Knowing how to deal with a bipolar schizophrenic person can help you avoid adverse situations.
It can also make caring for the person with the condition more manageable.
Bipolar schizophrenia, medically termed schizoaffective disorder, is a complex mental health illness.
People diagnosed with the condition experience symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
If you’re helping a friend, family member, or stranger with schizoaffective disorder, learn about the condition.
Additionally, set clear boundaries and establish trust and clear communication. Having a crisis plan can also be an asset.
This post serves as a guide for dealing with a bipolar schizophrenic person. Let’s begin by diving into the meaning of bipolar schizophrenia.
Understanding Bipolar Schizophrenia
Bipolar schizophrenia is medically termed schizoaffective disorder. This complex mental health condition presents with symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are two different chronic mental health conditions.
People diagnosed with schizophrenia experience psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations.
While those diagnosed with bipolar disorder experience manic and depressive episodes.
There are two kinds of schizoaffective disorder:
- Bipolar type: Sufferers experience manic episodes and sometimes major depression
- Depressive type: Sufferers only experience major depressive episodes
Schizoaffective disorder symptoms may vary from one person to the next. This depends on whether they have the bipolar or depressive type.
Those diagnosed with the condition may show signs of delusions, hallucinations, incoherent communication and speech, and inexplicable or unfamiliar behavior.
Also, individuals may experience feelings of emptiness, sadness, or worthlessness. And extreme highs (or mania) are characterized by increased liveliness and a reduced need for sleep for days.
While the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder may vary, a significant mood episode defines the condition.
In addition, individuals may experience at least two weeks of psychotic signs without an intense mood episode.
How To Deal With A Bipolar Schizophrenic Person
When you have to deal with a bipolar schizophrenic person, it can be demanding and challenging.
They can experience intense and critical signs of mania, depression, and psychosis. However, the strategies listed below can make being a caregiver easier.
Educate Yourself About The Disorder
The key to effectively caring for and dealing with a bipolar schizophrenic person is educating yourself about the condition. Learn about the symptoms and what causes the schizoaffective disorder.
You should also learn to distinguish the different types, namely bipolar type and depressive type.
Knowing what treatment options are available is also vital. Whoever you care for may be treated with medication, psychotherapy, and life skills training.
Resources to learn more about the schizoaffective disorder are available on various websites.
There are also books written about the condition. Alternatively, you can contact mental health organizations to learn about the disorder.
Talking to a healthcare professional can also help you learn about dealing with a bipolar schizophrenic person.
You might also try attending a support group for caregivers of individuals with schizoaffective disorder.
Establish Trust And Clear Communication
Forming trust and effective communication when dealing with a bipolar schizophrenic person is essential. However, it can take time and patience. To ease the process, follow these guidelines:
- Be honest: Open and direct communication with a person with schizoaffective disorder is critical. This can help build trust over time.
- Be supportive and non-judgmental: Show that you are there to support and care for them. And avoid critical or dismissive talk where their feelings and experiences are concerned.
- Listen actively: Paying close attention to what they say can help them feel heard and validated.
- Respect their boundaries: Give them space to be alone. If they don’t feel like talking, give them time, and don’t force them to open up.
Set Boundaries
When dealing with a bipolar schizophrenic person, establishing clear boundaries is vital. This will ensure your well-being and that of the person with the condition are cared for.
Establish boundaries, clearly communicate them, and consistently enforce them. This will ensure the person with schizoaffective disorder understands what is expected of them.
In addition, carve out time for self-care and tending to your well-being. Engage in activities you enjoy or set alone time aside.
Otherwise, you may not show up at your best when dealing with a bipolar schizophrenic person.
Also, remember that the boundaries you set won’t be fixed permanently. You may have to adjust them over time as circumstances change.
Therefore, be open to reassessing and adjusting your boundaries as needed.
Be Prepared For Crisis Situations
A crisis situation for a person with schizoaffective disorder occurs when their symptoms become severe.
They may experience increased hallucinations, disordered thinking or behavior, or an intense depressive or manic episode.
Therefore, you must have a crisis plan in place. This will ensure the person with schizoaffective disorder receives appropriate care and support during the crisis situation. A crisis plan should include the following:
- Warning signs that may indicate a crisis situation
- Contact details for their doctor or mental health professional
- A list of their medications and dosages
- Any allergies or medical conditions they have
- A list of friends or family members who can provide support or help
- Preferred treatment options (medication changes, hospitalization, or other interventions)
Ensure you involve the person with schizoaffective disorder in this process. Discuss every point in the crisis plan with them to account for their needs and preferences.
Also, write it down, so you have a reference, and make a copy for everyone involved.
Conclusion
Schizoaffective disorder is an intense mental health condition. Since it presents with symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, it can be challenging to deal with a bipolar schizophrenic person.
However, educating yourself about the condition can make it easier to care for a person with schizoaffective disorder. Read about the signs, causes, triggers, and treatments.
It’s also essential that you establish clear communication and boundaries. Also, having a crisis plan can prove helpful in crisis situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.) How Do You Calm Someone Down From A Schizophrenic Episode?
When dealing with a bipolar schizophrenic person experiencing a schizophrenic episode, remain calm.
Try to de-escalate the situation by speaking in a gentle tone of voice. Avoid yelling or speaking in a confrontational manner.
In addition, if the person is hallucinating or experiencing delusions, avoid trying to convince them that what they’re seeing isn’t real. Instead, validate their beliefs and reassure them that they aren’t alone.
If the situation escalates beyond your control, seek professional help immediately.
2.) What Are The Symptoms Of A Bipolar Person With Schizophrenia?
The indicators of the schizoaffective disorder vary from person to person, but they include the following:
- Feelings of emptiness, worthlessness, or sadness
- Impaired social functioning
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Incoherent speech and communication
- Bizarre or unusual behavior
3.) What Triggers Schizophrenic Episodes?
What triggers schizophrenic episodes varies from person to person. However, there are common triggers.
These include substance abuse (cannabis, alcohol, or cocaine), lack of sleep, loss, and stopping the antipsychotic medication.
Not everyone will experience these triggers. In some cases, people have episodes without any identifiable trigger.
