Mental Disorder?

Question

Ok a guy from work found out he has Schizoaffective disorder and doesn't know how to tell his family. Neither I nor any of his other friends know how to help him with issue, some outside views would help.

Thanks

Answer 1

Its common and he would benefit from their support..

He might be very anxious.. perhaps someone should help him out .. Or he can write it in a letter...

Answer 2

Perhaps arranging a family appointment with the doctor would be helpful. He could tell them before hand or at the doctors or even have the doctor tell them. I'm sure it will be heartwrenching for them however it comes up but at least if they are with someone who can correctly answer the many questions they will have, it may ease their minds a little. There are many misconceptions about mental disorders and this is one of the reasons there is so much stigma attatched to them. Correct information will make an enormous difference in how they begin to deal with this. Good luck to him.

Answer 3

Schizoaffective disorder is a major psychiatric disorder that is quite similar to schizophrenia. The disorder can affect all aspects of daily living, including work, social relationships, and self-care skills (such as grooming and hygiene). People with schizoaffective disorder can have a wide variety of different symptoms, including problems with their contact with reality (hallucinations and delusions), mood (such as marked depression), low motivation, inability to experience pleasure, and poor attention. The serious nature of the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder sometimes requires patients to be hospitalized at times for treatment. The experience of schizoaffective disorder can be described as similar to "dreaming when you are wide awake"; that is, it can be hard for the person with the disorder to distinguish between reality and fantasy.

Answer 4

Is he over 18? Is there really a need to tell his family. He should only tell his family and others if there's really a "need to know", or if it's actually therapeutic.

Can you imagine telling others about schizoaffective and having to explain yourself to almost everyone that it's NOT schizophrenia?? I don't thinks so. I'm not about to educate the world, and be shunned and talked about behind my back!!

BTW... he's a "guy from work" so ya know he's got to be pretty functional.

BTW2: Psychiatrists tend to 'over diagnose' so I'd take what they say with a grain of salt.

Answer 5

My real opinion.

Have him get a second opinion. I was diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder, and was later told it was incorrect by a top-notch expert in mental health.

I was diagnosed with it, because they couldn't fit me under any other catagory. People are just full of odd and end symptoms, not everything can be neatly fit into DSM descriptions.

Answer 6

GFW (guy from work): Mom, Dad? I'm crazy. There, I've said it. I can take meds for it, and although I really don't want to, the Doctor says I have to take all these pills (show them the bottles--shake them a bit for effect)--or else I'll go on a tri-state mass murdering spree. Um, Mom, are you okay? You look a little pale. Oh yeah, and dad, you're supposed to remove your gun collection and those pretty sweet samurai swords over the mantel. Mom? Mom? Dad, get some water!

Answer 7

maybe he could get a written diagnosis from his doctor and have them read it. I know that is a very tough subject for some people to talk about . so get some education on the disease and share it with family. it is a condition that will never be cured, but it can be fairly well controlled usually. good luck.

Answer 8

First and foremost, does he want his family to know? If so, he should set up an appointment with his doc which would include himself and a significant other like his parents and let the doctor explain the diagnosis and treatment outcome to them.

Answer 9

You should treat this like any other illness. Don't draw attention to it, treat this person with respect and dignity, and if his behaviour becomes bizarre or he says starge things, then realise that it isn't a threat to you or personal in any way.
As to his family- does he really need to tell them? Maybe they already know.

Answer 10

If he behaves oddly chances are his family have noticed there is something unusual about him and perhaps they would be relieved to find out his condition has a name and hopefully a treatment? I would hope they would be supportive and understanding of him if he just comes out and tells them.