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Hello Magenta,   I'm no expert, but a retired doc , (non-psych), so this is just my take on it. First if you google Schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type you come up with American definition , and also a Uk/ WHO classification,with slightly different criteria showing straight away that these are not clear-cut separations, easy to distinguish,between this and schizophrenia but rather overlap. They are not cast in stone, these conditions don't neatly pigeonhole its a kind of working diagnosis. (As with many diagnoses  if only we (doctors and scientists) are honest and humble enough to admit!)    In any case we are 'only' using, looking at patterns of SYMPTOMS ,that bring that unique person to be assessed at that particular time usually in crisis.The crisis may be triggered by external events, as with crisis in anyone's life!   No definite blood tests etc exist to show one illness or another.    Things obvious and disclosed or complained of at the time are to the forefront and rightly receive attention, hopefully....(those causing distress to the person themselves or others often at a time of crisis. Naturally meds are used to alleviate what appear dominant features at the time. Other things may have been 'dealt with' partially, or hidden over long periods as a coping strategy.  So my advice is don't worry too much about the exact initial diagnosis...keep an open mind and be heard! Good luck Chris, UK