Bipolar 1 vs schizophrenia

@Bunniekins here are are some visuals that may help

@Former-Member thanks Darcy just waiting for the pics to show. I like visuals as they often explain so much better than paragraphs of writing.

@Former-Member Hey Darcy the diagms are great but it still doesnt explain the difference between bipolar I and schizo affective disorder. As they both have hallucinations and delusions and mood disorders...... I am a confused pea 😮

@Bunniekins is this easier?

@Former-Member Yes that has helped alot :)x

I have wandered and wondered through masses of literature on the subject. @Bunniekins

I have diagnoses of all of them in my family and changing ones .... etc .. mostly it seems there are a few spectrums and I concentrate on the person in front of me ... labels are just a guideline ...

Hugs Gp

You've morphed into a doc!

Appleblossom Just googled and got this

Schizoaffective Disorder is often confused with Bipolar Disorder with psychotic features. Both diagnosis include mood changes that impact life as well as symptoms of psychosis. ... However, when mood problems flare up, such as during a depressed or manic episode, the symptoms of psychosis can worsen.

Hi @Gazza75 thanks for your support. Have you got any ideas on when the diagnosis flips from one to the other? I have a feeling I will have to ask my psychiatrist next time I see her.

Hi @Bunniekins, I am sorry I don't. I have Bipolar 2. Definitely worth talking to your doctor. Wishing you well.

@Bunniekins the way i understand it is that with Bipolar 1 you shouldnt have psychotic symptoms unless you are in a mood episode and that the psychosis is a result of the mood but that the psychosis only comes when you are manic or depressed or mixed but NOT when your mood is stable.

Shcizoaffective is when you have mood symptoms found in Bipolar but you experience psychosis OUTSIDE of a mood episode ASWELL as when you are in a mood episode.

and Schizophrenia is when you have psychosis for a period of time longer than 6 months consistently and you can have mood symptoms in schizophrenia but the mood is driven by the psychosis where as it is the other way around in Bipolar. so Schizophrenia means the mood is caused by psychosis and Bipolar 1 with psychotic features is the psychosis is caused by the mood.

it also has to do with the length of time you experience different symptoms. I hope this made sense if i could draw a huge chart i would but anyway hopefully that helps.