Synopses & Reviews
Schizophrenia is one of the most traumatic psychiatric conditions both for the patient and his family. It also suffers from frequent misinterpretation by the popular media. The disorder usually manifests itself through significant periods of hallucinations and bizarre delusions, but patients are not generally violent, and do have periods of remission. However, it is often difficult for them to maintain a regular lifestyle and relationships at home and at work, and many schizophrenics end up homeless on the streets of our cities.
This book provides a concise and up-to-date account of the underlying causes and symptoms of schizophrenia. The authors are psychiatrists with many years of experience in the treatment of schizophrenia. They look at all the current treatment options, both medical and psychological, together with likely side effects and the problem of compliance with treatment. The role of the family and the community in caring for schizophrenic patients is also considered. This book will provide a welcome source of information both for the families of schizophrenics and for the medical personnel involved in their care.
Review
"Impressive...and readable without requiring a professional background."--The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (on the first edition)
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 170) and index.
Table of Contents
Preface
Section 1: What is Schizophrenia?
1. Introduction
2. Defining the terms
3. Diagnosis
4. Symptoms
Section 2: Schizophrenia: The Central Questions
5. Introduction
6. How common is schizophrenia?
7. Is schizophrenia inherited?
8. How does the environment affect schizophrenia?
9. Is schizophrenia a disease?
Section 3: Meeting the Challenge of Schizophrenia
10. Introduction
11. Treating schizophrenia
12. Biological therapies
13. Non-biological therapies
14. The role of the hospital in modern mental health care
Section 4: Caring and Coping in a Changing Social Environment
15. Introduction
16. What special problems does the schizophrenic patient face?
17. Prognosis
18. Summary
Further reading
Useful addresses
Index