THROUGH THE LENS OF A WOMAN WITH SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER: A CASE STUDY

Motivation/Background: Historically speaking, the distinction between manic-depressive disorders and schizophrenia finds itself in an unclear and vast spectrum bordered by the two illnesses. In this paper, we will present a case study that raises a question of diagnosis: bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder? Following the description of the symptoms and diagnosis criteria of each of the disorders, along with the personal data of the patient (the ones that are available to us), we will attempt analyzing the case as thoroughly as possible. The paper introduces the case of a 40-year-old woman who presents affective/mood related symptoms. Method: psychiatric evaluation, psychiatric interview, psychodynamic interview and psychodynamic interpretation. Results: The subject has a pathology of attachment developed over a structure with homosexual attachment choices. The multiple psychotraumas of childhood and the busy life history overlap with a vulnerability for emotional manifestations. She develops as axis I pathology a bipolar affective disorder, which at the moment takes the form of a mixed dispositional episode with psychotic phenomena. The artistic side makes it work markedly on delirious interpretativity, as it is to be appreciated the patient's effort not to completely detach from reality. Conclusions: Late detection of these habits by the relatives, as well as other signs of psychiatric conditions, has contributed to an alteration of the identity of the patient and an inability to develop proper social behavior. After an overview of the patient's life experience, we can presume that the psychiatric condition is present and that it is evolving. The aim of the paper is to provide a theoretical viewpoint on this specific pathology, with particular features for this case study