Surviving schizophrenia : a manual for families, patients, and providers
In clear language, this much-praised and important book describes the nature, causes, symptoms, treatment and course of schizophrenia and also explores living with it from both the patient and the family's point of view. This new, completely updated fifth edition includes the latest research findings on what causes the disease as well as information about the newest drugs for treatment and answers to the questions most often asked by families, consumers and providers
Print Book, English, 2006
5th ed., 1st Collins pbk. ed View all formats and editions
Collins, New York, 2006
Popular works
xxiv, 546 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm
9780060842598, 0060842598
60796304
1. The inner world of madness : view from the inside
Alterations of the senses
Inability to interpret and respond
Delusions and hallucinations
Altered sense of self
Changes in emotions
Changes in movements
Changes in behavior
Decreased awareness of illness
The black-red disease
Recommended further reading
2. Defining schizophrenia : view from the outside
Official criteria for diagnosis
Subtypes of schizophrenia
Delusional disorders
Schizotypal, schizoid, paranoid, and borderline personality disorders
Schizoaffective disorder and manic-depressive illness
"Manicdephrenia"
Recommended further reading
3. Conditions sometimes confused with schizophrenia
A "split personality"
Psychosis caused by street drugs
Psychosis caused by prescription drugs
Psychosis caused by other diseases
Psychosis caused by head trauma
Psychosis with mental retardation
Infantile autism
Antisocial personality disorders and sexual predators
Culturally sanctioned psychotic behavior
Recommended further reading
4. Onset, course, and prognosis
Childhood precursors
Onset and early symptoms
Childhood schizophrenia
Postpartum schizophrenia
Late-onset schizophrenia
Predictors of outcome
Male-female differences
Possible courses : ten years later
Possible courses : thirty years later
The "recovery model"
Causes of death : why do people with schizophrenia die at a younger age?
Recommended further reading. 5. Research findings on the causes of schizophrenia
The normal brain
The brain with schizophrenia
The disease if familial
There may be neurochemical changes
There are structural and neuropathological changes
There are neuropsychological deficits
There are neurological abnormalities
There are electrical abnormalities
There are immunological and inflammatory abnormalities
Individuals with schizophrenia are born disproportionately in the winer and spring
Individuals with schizophrenia are born and/or raised disproportionately in urban areas
Other abnormalities : pregnancy and birth complications, minor physical anomalies, and an absence of rheumatoid arthritis
What parts of the brain are affected?
When does the brain damage begin?
Recommended further reading
6. Theories about the causes of schizophrenia
Genetic theories
Neurochemical theories
Developmental theories
Infectious and immune theories
Nutritional theories
Endocrine theories
Stress theories
Obsolete theories
Masturbation and demons
Bad mothers
Bad families
Bad cultures
Thomas Szasz
Ronald Laing
recommended further reading
7. The treatment of schizophrenia : non-medication aspects
How to find a good doctor
What is an adequate diagnostic workup?
Hospitalization : voluntary and involuntary
Alternatives to hospitalization
Payment for treatment and insurance parity
Outpatient treatment and managed care
Services for children
Services in rural areas
Counseling, or supportive "psychotherapy"
Insight-oriented psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Dietary treatments
Herbal treatments
Experimental treatments : TMS and VNS
Recommended further reading. 8. The treatment of schizophrenia : medications
First-generation antipsychotics
Adverse effects
Second-generation antipsychotics
Adverse effects
Clozapine (Clozaril, Leponex)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Ziprasidone (Geodon)
Aripiprazole (Abilify)
Which antipsychotic should you try? : the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on prescribing patterns
Which antipsychotic should you try? : the bottom line
Interactions of antipsychotics with other medications
Other drugs to try if antipsychotics fail
New medications on the horizon
Drug prices and the use of generics
Medications for early treatment or prevention
The medication-savvy consumer and family
Recommended further reading
9. The rehabilitation of schizophrenia
Money and food
Housing
Employment
Friendship and social skills training
Medical and dental care
Quality of life measures
The need for asylum
Recommended further reading
10. Ten major problems
Cigarettes and coffee
Alcohol and street drugs
Sex, pregnancy, and AIDS
Victimization
Confidentiality
Medication noncompliance
Assisted treatment
Assaultive and violent behavior
Arrest and jail
Suicide
Recommended further reading
11. How can patients and families survive schizophrenia?
The right attitude
The importance of education
Survival strategies for patients
Survival strategies for families
Effects of schizophrenia on siblings, children, and spouses
Minimizing relapses
Recommended further reading. 12. Commonly asked questions
Does schizophrenia change the underlying personality?
Are people with schizophrenia responsible for their behavior?
Does schizophrenia affect the person's IQ?
Should people with schizophrenia drive vehicles?
How do religious issues affect people with schizophrenia?
Should you tell people that you have schizophrenia?
Genetic counseling : what are the chances of getting schizophrenia?
Why do some adopted children develop schizophrenia?
What will happen when the parents die?
Recommended further reading
13. Schizophrenia in the public eye
Schizophrenia in the movies
Schizophrenia in literature
Schizophrenia, creativity, and famous people
The problem of stigma
Recommended further reading
14. Dimensions of the disaster
How many people have schizophrenia in the United States?
Where are they?
Do some groups have more schizophrenia than others?
Is schizophrenia increasing or decreasing?
Is schizophrenia of recent origin?
Deinstitutionalization : a cradle for catastrophe
What is the cost of schizophrenia?
Recommended further reading
15. Issues for advocates
Congress, state government, and the politics of neglect
Scientologists, anti-psychiatrists, and "consumer survivors"
NIMH and research funding
Educating the public
Decreasing stigma
Improving services
How to organize for advocacy
Recommended further reading
Appendix A. An annotated list of the best and the worst books on schizophrenia
Appendix B. Useful Web sites on schizophrenia / Judy Miller
Appendix C. Other useful resources on schizophrenia