Hello, this is a great question...
Personally, I've never really had that effect from antipsychotic medication... I mean, ya; I've been depressed while taking antipsychotic medications; however - that had more to do with denial / accepting my illness rather than the medications causing depression...
Ultimately; there is no way you'll ever find out if its in FACT; the medications causing your depression... You said you've had a depression for 2 years... How long have you been on antipsychotic medication? How long you been diagnosed as schizoaffective?
With schizoaffective - there is a tendency to have schizophrenic symptoms, as well as moody, bipolar-like symptoms... (As I'm sure you already know) However, sometimes; the treatment of schizophrenia, is alot different than bipolar... (In specific individual cases) But you have symptoms of both... Afterall - you've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder... I'm assuming you're doctors did this because they were having a hard time making a diagnosis between schizophrenia and bipolar... Hence (both schizophrenia and bipolar symptoms)...
The tricky part of this illness is; that SOMETIMES; its been known - that the use of antipsychotic medications while someone is depressed already - can backfire... All the medications even warn of this...
Even though antidepressants are meant to alleviate depression - sometimes they can exacerbate mania! Its been known; that someone with bipolar; whose been misdiagnosed as being depressed; CAN sometimes go manic while taking antidepressants... Whereas someone with schizophrenia - may not be nearly as inclined to becoming manic with the use of antidepressants,
alone...
Alot of doctors nowadays are finding that a mixture of antipsychotic, and antidepressant medications; perform greatly with several (unique) cases; for the mentally ill... However, everyone is different... So its basically trial and error - which means there is no definitive facts; behind whether or not a certain medication is / could / would; be causing any form of opposite symptoms; as its originally prescribed for... With the positive intentions of helping symptoms / minimizing their daunting effect on the people experiencing the symptoms; and also on those whom are effected by them... Things should get better with time...
One thing that a doctor should always remember, is that, "They should never prescribe medications - to help determine correct diagnosis..."
What that means, is; "They SHOULD prescribe medications; AFTER - they make the diagnosis..." They SHOULD NOT; make the diagnosis; AFTER - they prescribe medications...
As in; if they are unable to determine the correct diagnosis; whats better than to try certain medications that are known to help certain illnesses...? And use the patient as a lab rat - in trying to find the correct diagnosis... Basically to rule out depression, if antidepressants don't help... Or rule out psychosis if antipsychotic medications don't help... Trial and error - thats all psychiatry is... Unfortunately - the answer to your question, "Are my antipsychotic medications causing / exacerbating my depression?" It is a question only YOU can answer for yourself... As any psychiatrist will base their answer on their own faith; on the same system that gives them a paycheck each month... They will not answer your question the way you'd hope...
I guess my personal answer to your question, would be, "YES; its possible..." Its very possible... But if you look up antipsychotic medications; you'll notice that some people will get an increase in negative symptoms with their continued use... (Apathy, Lack of motivation, sleepiness, etc) Maybe thats whats happening to you? For sure, remember the POSITIVE symptoms of your illness... (hallucinations, delusions, paranoia) But don't forget about the NEGATIVE symptoms, as they can be worse often times...
Thanks, hope that helps in some way.
