Schizoaffective Disorder Treatment Center in Alexandria

Learn more about schizoaffective disorder treatment at Longleaf Hospital in Alexandria, LA

Schizoaffective disorder is a complex mental health disorder that is characterized by symptoms that resemble both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. People who have developed schizoaffective disorder will experience episodes of mania and/or major depression, along with symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and/or behavior, catatonia, and diminished emotional expression.

Struggling with schizoaffective disorder can make it extremely difficult for a person to make academic progress, get and keep a job, form and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships, and otherwise fully engage in a productive and satisfying lifestyle.

Clearly, schizoaffective disorder can have an extremely disruptive impact on an individual’s life. However, by engaging in effective professional treatment at a clinic, hospital, or other treatment center, a person can learn to manage his or her symptoms in a manner that will empower him or her to experience an improved quality of life.

At Longleaf Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana, experienced professionals are prepared to provide the specialized treatment services that can improve the lives of individuals and families who have been impacted by schizoaffective disorder. In a safe and structured treatment environment, patients who have been struggling with schizoaffective disorder benefit from personalized care that is designed to promote long-term healing.

Helping a loved one get treatment for schizoaffective disorder

When a friend or family member has schizoaffective disorder, his or her symptoms can be confusing, alarming, or even frightening. Schizoaffective disorder is a complex medical condition that can have a distressing impact on loved ones. However, do not feel that the situation is hopeless, or that you are helpless.

As someone who cares for an individual who has been struggling with schizoaffective disorder, you are in a uniquely empowered position to make a positive difference in his or her life. Please consider the following suggestions:

• Educate yourself: Learn all that you can about schizoaffective disorder. Become more familiar with the specific symptoms that your loved one is experiencing so that you can better understand what he or she is dealing with.
• Research treatment options: Find out what types and levels of care have helped others whose situation is similar to what your loved one is experiencing, and identify programs in your area that appear to best meet your loved one’s needs.
• Get help: Caring for someone who is struggling with an issue as serious as schizoaffective disorder can be overwhelming. Don’t try to do it all on your own. Get a small group of trusted friends or family members to help you. If you are struggling with the emotional impact of this experience, consider seeing a therapist or counselor yourself.
• Talk to your loved one: Your loved one’s ability to discuss what he or she is experiencing and to participate in the search for treatment will depend upon the nature and severity of his or her symptoms. But include him or her to the degree that he or she is able to participate.
• Stay involved: When you have located a treatment program, take advantage of any family therapy sessions or other family support services that are offered. This will help you process the impact of your loved one’s struggles and will prepare you to provide the most meaningful support.

Also, do your best to manage expectations and plan for a long recovery process. The optimal treatment outcome for a person who has been struggling with schizoaffective disorder will vary depending upon several personal variables. Prepare for both successes and setbacks, and plan to play an ongoing positive role in your loved one’s life.

Why consider treatment for schizoaffective disorder at Longleaf Hospital in Alexandria, LA

Without proper treatment, schizoaffective disorder can inflict considerable ongoing damage on an individual’s health and wellbeing. Symptoms can become progressively more severe and new difficulties can develop. People who struggle with schizoaffective disorder will struggle to make academic progress and will find it difficult, if not impossible, to find and keep a job, thus limiting their ability to achieve financial stability or establish an independent lifestyle.

Many people who develop schizoaffective disorder have a compromised ability to advocate on their own behalf and otherwise care for themselves. This means that they may fail to get proper medical care in a timely manner when needed, which can increase their risk of serious health problems. Individuals who have schizoaffective disorder are at increased risk for substance use disorders, which can significantly exacerbate existing problems while exposing them to a host of additional threats to their physical, emotional, and socioeconomic wellbeing. Untreated schizoaffective disorder is also associated with increased risk of suicide and decreased life expectancy.

However, when a person who has been struggling with schizoaffective disorder receives effective, professional care at a program such as Longleaf Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana, he or she can heal from past damage and avoid future harm while developing the ability to live a healthier life.

Types of schizoaffective disorder treatment offered at Longleaf Hospital in Alexandria, LA

Located in Alexandria, LA, Longleaf Hospital is the area’s leading provider of individualized psychiatric care for children, adolescents, teens, and adults who are suffering from schizoaffective disorder and a host of other conditions. Having recently completed a full upgrade of clinic facilities in 2015, Longleaf offers a tranquil setting in which to heal. Our hospital is set amongst a peaceful wooded area, but is easily accessible off of highway 28 near the Alexandria Coliseum.

At Longleaf Hospital, we seek to provide the highest level of psychiatric care while treating each child, adolescent, and adult. Our program’s mission is to support long-term success for patients both during treatment at this clinic and after they return home. This is accomplished through the work of our expert team of highly qualified mental health and medical staff who are committed to providing dignity in treatment and to empowering patients to lead healthy, productive lives.

Patients who come to Longleaf may be struggling with a wide variety of psychiatric concerns, and treatment for from schizoaffective disorder will consist of various supports that are tailored to address each patient’s unique strengths and challenges. For adult patients who are struggling with a co-occurring substance use disorder in addition to schizoaffective disorder, Longleaf is pleased to provide comprehensive care to address chemical dependencies of many types, including addictions to alcohol, benzodiazepines, heroin, opioids, marijuana, PCP, methamphetamines, cocaine, hallucinogenic, synthetics, and more.

Options for treatment at our clinic span the continuum of care, and include several options in order to provide the ideal treatment environment for every patient. We are also proud to offer specialized supports for active and retired military personnel and their dependents.

Upon admission, each patient is thoroughly assessed prior to beginning services at Longleaf, and a personalized plan of care is devised to encourage the most beneficial outcomes possible, no matter what level of care the patient is engaged in.

Short-term acute inpatient care is offered for children and adolescents ages 11-17 and adults ages 18 and above. In this setting, patients can receive a variety of supportive services designed to help them overcome symptoms of from schizoaffective disorder, including:

• Medically assisted, supervised detoxification programming
• 12-Step based services
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
• Rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT)
• Medical services from nurse practitioners and doctors

In addition to the treatment modalities listed above, all children, adolescents, and adults who seek care at Longleaf will have access to the following therapies:

• Medication management: If an individual’s symptoms can be effectively treated with prescription medications, our team can include medication management services into his or her personalized treatment plan. All medication decisions will involve the input and consent of the individual in treatment and/or his or her parents or guardians.
• Individual therapy: Master’s level social workers provide this one-on-one service to allow all patients to process issues from the past and present that have contributed to the onset of symptoms of from schizoaffective disorder. In this private, confidential setting, individuals can discuss the challenges and successes that arise in treatment, and make a plan for continued success after leaving Longleaf.
• Family therapy: Family therapy is offered twice weekly and is designed to engage a patient’s loved ones in his or her recovery journey, to heal damaged relationships, and to increase the functionality of the family unit.
• Group therapy: All patients at Longleaf will have many opportunities to participate in group therapy. Offered daily, this intervention is used to help patients learn from each other, and to combat the sense of isolation that is common amongst those suffering from the symptoms of mental illness, including from schizoaffective disorder. Group discussions are varied but could include topics such as anger management, impulse control, coping skills, and discharge planning.

At Longleaf Hospital, we are proud to have a long history of providing superior service to active duty military members, veterans, and their families. Our military support efforts are led by our medical director, a retired Army colonel who works closely with all military members who heal at Longleaf. We do not have a specialized treatment track for military members, but we ensure that the unique issues and challenges that are experienced by members of the military community are addressed in each patient’s personalized treatment plan, and we place a premium on ensuring that all military-affiliated patients receive the customized care that will best prepare them for long-term success.

In addition to Longleaf Hospital’s acute inpatient care program, the partial hospitalization program (PHP) is another option for support that is available to adult patients age 18 and above. PHP at Longleaf, which typically spans a time period of 2 to 6 weeks, has been proven successful in addressing from schizoaffective disorder. This option is suitable for patients who require a high level of support, but who are able to return to their home environments in the evening.

Programming within this level of care is based on 12-Step ideology, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing. Medication management is also available within PHP at Longleaf, and patients can meet with a psychiatrist twice per week while in this program. Individual, family, and group therapies are also provided, as well as thorough discharge planning.

The least acute option for care for from schizoaffective disorder at Longleaf Hospital is the intensive outpatient program (IOP). This form of support can be used as a step-down level of care from other programs, or for adults age 18 and above who do not require a higher level of care. Typically lasting 8 to 12 weeks, IOP at Longleaf consists of medication management services and various time-tested therapeutic techniques designed to address symptoms of from schizoaffective disorder.

Get more information about treatment for schizoaffective disorder

The admissions staff at Longleaf is available to speak with referral sources and prospective patients and their families 24/7. Upon contacting Longleaf, a licensed intake counselor can provide an initial assessment, and answer any questions that you may have about healing at our hospital. The decision to seek care for from schizoaffective disorder may be a difficult one, but the compassionate professional team at Longleaf Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana, is here to ensure that you find the very best support for yourself or a loved one.