Philadelphia’s Leading Schizoaffective Disorder Hospital

Learn about schizoaffective disorder treatment at Belmont Behavioral Health System in Philadelphia, PA

Schizoaffective disorder is a serious and distressing type of mental illness that includes symptoms of schizophrenia along with major depression and occasionally mania. Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder can feel like a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. This disorder leads to hallucinations, delusions, catatonic behavior, disorganized speech, racing thoughts, and episodes of profound hopelessness or sadness.

The hallucinations and delusions that characterize this disorder make those who struggle with schizoaffective disorder largely unable to function in everyday life or determine what is real and what is not really happening. The disorganized speech and catatonia associated with this disorder make communication difficult, while the deep depression and mania add to instability in functioning.

Schizoaffective disorder requires intensive treatment in a knowledgeable and safe environment. With the inpatient treatment center at Belmont Behavioral Health System, a hospital for schizoaffective disorder treatment in Philadelphia individuals who have struggled with this disorder will receive dedicated care and evidence-based treatment methods designed to support each person individually. Our high level of care can help improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms associated with this disorder.

Individuals who struggle with schizoaffective disorder are in need of the intensive comprehensive care that can be provided at an inpatient treatment center like. At our treatment center, men and women who have been impacted by schizoaffective disorder can work with dedicated and talented professionals who are experienced at providing the type and level of care that can alleviate the symptoms of this disorder and improve their overall quality of life.

Helping a loved one get treatment for schizoaffective disorder

It can be difficult to witness a loved one struggling with schizoaffective disorder. The behaviors of this disorder may be alarming at times, and in some cases, the individual may become dangerous to him or herself or others. It is important to seek comprehensive treatment for this disorder as soon as possible. Treatment is shown to help greatly with this disorder, and you may be able to help get your loved one on the road to recovery.

Because this disorder can be significantly challenging, it is a good idea to educate yourself as much as possible about schizoaffective disorder and treatments for this disorder. It is a good idea to learn as much as possible about the following topics:

• Signs and symptoms: When you recognize the symptoms and signs of this disorder, you will be better able to note your loved one’s progress in treatment, and you will also develop more insight into how this disorder is impacting your loved one’s everyday life.
• Treatment options: It will benefit both you and your loved one to know more about new treatments and types of care that have proven effective in schizoaffective disorder treatment.
• Potential programs: When you know more about the specifics of your loved one’s condition along with treatment options, you will be prepared to locate specific treatment centers that are a good fit for your family member or friend.

Your loved one can do more than anyone else when it comes to providing insights into the impact of schizoaffective disorder. Take time to listen to your loved one and understand this disorder from his or her perspective. With this information in mind, you will be able to advocate for your loved one.

Ongoing conversations about this condition with your loved one will allow you to:

• Monitor the progress your loved one is making in treatment, and note any changes in cognitive abilities, attitude, mood, or communication skills
• Demonstrate that you care and support your loved one, which will allow your loved one to feel less alone in this situation
• Become knowledgeable about your loved one’s thoughts about entering treatment so that you may communicate this information and help ease any transition into treatment
• Help your loved one feel less anxiety, shame, or isolation– the difficult emotions that usually accompany schizoaffective disorder

Once your loved one agrees to treatment, you may be able to help him or her schedule a visit to a treatment center, complete an intake, or make future appointments for treatment. You might also be able to remove any obstacles that your loved one may face in entering treatment. The treatment center of your choice should be able to help you get started.

Finally, take good care of yourself. Treatment is the first step toward wellness. It is important that you eat well, sleep regularly, and take care of your own health. With good self-care, you will be able to support your loved one in this journey.

Why consider treatment for schizoaffective disorder at Belmont Behavioral Health System in Philadelphia, PA

Schizoaffective disorder is a very difficult disorder to live with. This mental health condition can impact daily living and prevent the individual from achieving goals and enjoying life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle with the ability to effectively communicate their worries and frustrations related to this illness.

This disorder may prevent the individual from maintaining relationships, obtaining or keeping a job, or living independently. Financial problems, unemployment, health issues, and even legal problems often plague those with this disorder. This may result in a downward spiral that makes wellness very difficult for the affected individual.

Fortunately, treatment has been shown to make a big difference in the lives of those affected with schizoaffective disorder. Belmont Behavioral Health System, a schizoaffective disorder treatment center in Philadelphia, offers treatment with highly skilled medical and mental health professionals. With the help of an individualized treatment plan and care from dedicated, supportive staff, your loved one will be able to begin a journey toward a more peaceful life.

Types of schizoaffective disorder treatment offered at Belmont Behavioral Health System in Philadelphia, PA

Our hospital provides comprehensive inpatient care for children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients who have been experiencing a variety of behavioral health, mental health, and substance use disorders. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, our psychiatric hospital is housed on 13 serene acres, which provides our patients with the opportunity to heal in a comforting park-like environment.

Since the day we accepted our first patient in 1937, our treatment center has been dedicated to offering the highest quality of care in manner that is best suited to meeting the unique needs of each person who is entrusted into our care. After nearly a century of service, we remain committed to providing personalized care, promoting continued improvement in evidence-based practices, and upholding the highest standards of the healing profession.

Because each patient receives care that has been specifically designed according to his or her unique strengths, needs, and treatment goals, no two individuals will have identical experiences while being treated at our hospital for schizoaffective disorder. Depending upon those specific factors, the following are among the elements that may be included into a patient’s treatment plan while in our care:

Medically monitored detoxification: In some cases, individuals who have been experiencing schizoaffective disorder also struggle with substance abuse and chemical dependency. For individuals who meet this description, and who have been incapable of ending their substance abuse prior to entering treatment at our treatment center, we provide medically monitored detoxification services so that they can rid their bodies of their substances of abuse with maximum safety and minimal discomfort. Once an individual has completed detox with us, he or she can then transition directly into inpatient care.

Medication management: Having certain prescription medications incorporated into their treatment plans has provided significant relief for many individuals who have been struggling with schizoaffective disorder and other mental health disorders. If our initial medical evaluation indicates that a patient may benefit from medications, he or she may receive medication management services from the psychiatrists and certified registered nurse practitioners at our treatment center.

Individual therapy: Individual sessions between a patient who is being treated for schizoaffective disorder and a trained professional can provide valuable opportunities for the patient to process successes and setbacks, address specific issues related to his or her recovery, and receive essential guidance and feedback. At our hospital, individual therapy and counseling sessions are provided for all patients, with frequency of sessions based upon the patient’s age, unit, and need. All children and adolescent patients will participate in daily individual sessions with a member of their interdisciplinary treatment team. Adult patients will meet with case managers, rehab service providers, social services providers, pastoral counselors, and other trainees and clinicians on an as-needed basis.

Group therapy: Group therapy is a foundational element of treatment for virtually all patients who are healing at our schizoaffective disorder treatment center, including those who are being treated for schizoaffective disorder. These sessions, which may be led by members of our social services, case management, rehab, and nursing staffs, provide excellent opportunities for individuals in treatment to share their insights, learn from the experiences of others, and practice healthy interpersonal communication skills within a structured, supportive, and professionally supervised environment. Group therapy is conducted multiple times during every treatment day at our hospital. While the specific content of each group will depend upon the unique contributions of each participant, the following are among the topics that may be addressed in group sessions during a patient’s time with us:

• Healthy boundaries
• Self-care
• The 12-step recovery model
• Values and goals
• Managing psychosis/illness management
• Peer-run groups
• Alumni support meetings
• Behavioral activation
• Community meeting (each morning and evening)
• AA/NA support groups
• Aftercare
• ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)
• Building strengths and resilience
• Cognitive-behavioral skills and interventions
• Dialectical behavioral therapy skills
• Medication education
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Stages of Change
• Meditation and mindfulness
• Substance abuse
• Trauma focused interventions
• Spirituality
• Self-esteem
• Wellness and recovery action planning

Family therapy: The impact of a behavioral and/or mental health disorder is rarely confined to the afflicted individual. Family members and close friends are likely to be affected by a person’s struggles with schizoaffective disorder, and these same individuals can also play an essential role in supporting their loved one’s recovery. At our treatment center, we encourage family involvement throughout the treatment process, and we provide family therapy sessions so that loved ones can address individual issues, heal intrafamilial rifts, and learn how best to support the patient both during and after his or her time with us. For children and adolescent patients, family sessions may also focus on developing and implementing crisis and safety plans.

Experiential therapy: Experiential therapies complement more traditional forms of therapy by providing participants with alternative means of interacting with their environment, expressing their feelings, and addressing issues with which they may have been struggling. Art therapy, guided imagery, music therapy, and role playing activities are among the types of experiential therapy that may be incorporated into a patient’s treatment plan while he or she is receiving care for schizoaffective disorder at our hospital.

Education: Each weekday, children and adolescents who are being treated at our treatment center receive at least two hours of academic instruction. All instruction is provided in a manner that is consistent with each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and takes place in a supportive environment that features small class size and low teacher-to-student ratio. A child and adolescent social worker works closely with the child’s family and all other involved parties to ensure that the educational component of the young person’s time in treatment is consistent with their expectations and is of maximum benefit to the student.

Other interventions: Patients who can benefit from the following types of interventions may also have these services included into their treatment at our hospital:

• Autism services: Patients with autism and their families may consult with a behavior specialist on our staff who is certified in autism studies.
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): Elective ECT is available for patients who choose to participate in this alternative form of treatment to relieve symptoms such as catatonia, psychosis, depression, and mania. ECT treatment is provided only upon the request of the patient
• Internal medicine: All patients may receive internal medicine services on an as-needed basis. A physical exam is part of the admissions process, and an internal medicine physician is available to all patients throughout their time with us.
• Motivational speakers: Patients often have the opportunity to hear from volunteer speakers, many of whom are trained as certified peer specialists, about their experiences recovering from mental illness and/or chemical dependency.
• Nutrition consultation: All individuals at our hospital have access to our staff dietician as needed.
• Sensory Tool Awareness Routines (STAR): STAR enhances patients’ self-awareness, increases their sense of inner balance, and empowers them to exert greater control over their own lives through the development of skills that focus on the regulation of the nervous system.
• Welcoming committee/Active treatment: These initiatives, which are part of our ongoing effort to provide the highest degree of personalized care, feature resources that allow patients to take more active roles in their own treatment and recovery. Features include self-help materials that are designed to help patients continue their growth outside of the group therapy setting.

At our schizoaffective disorder treatment center, we understand that for individuals who are dealing with disorders such as schizoaffective disorder, inpatient treatment is often just one step in the long journey of recovery. To ensure that each patient is best prepared to maintain and build upon the progress that he or she makes while in treatment with us, we begin planning for discharge the day the individual enters our treatment center. When a patient leaves our hospital, he or she will have a thorough plan that identifies the professional referrals, community-based organizations, and other external resources that will support his or her successful pursuit of long-term recovery.

For more information about any aspect of treatment at our center, including answers to any specific questions you may have about treatment for schizoaffective disorder, please feel free to contact us at your convenience. We look forward to helping you determine if our hospital is the ideal place for you or a loved one.