Synopses & Reviews
What is schizophrenia? Is it a nervous breakdown or a neurochemical malfunction? Why does it develop mostly in late adolescence?In this groundbreaking and innovative book, Chris Harrop and Peter Trower outline a whole new way of understanding schizophrenia. Controversially, they argue that symptoms seen as psychosis can be linked to the typical psychological development of adolescence and, in particular, to problems constructing an independent, adult self.
This unique psychological account of schizophrenia, written in accessible language, offers insights and practical therapeutic techniques that will be of value to young people with this problem, their families and anyone working with adolescents.
For therapists and all those working in mental health services, particularly those interested in early intervention, this book is essential reading.
‘… a valuable contribution to what remains one of the most problematical issues for health providers, receivers and researchers.’ Dr Paul Patterson
‘… what Peter and Chris have to say is controversial, but I suspect this work will be regarded in time to come as "trail-blazing".’ Professor Max Birchwood
Synopsis
Governments around the world have given priority to "early intervention", i.e. the early diagnosis and treatment of young adults with psychotic symptoms.
One of the main problems with this approach, is that only a small proportion of these young adults can be expected to go on to develop schizophrenia, yet all the treatment regimes are derived from work with adults who have had full psychotic episodes.
Why Does Schizophrenia Develop at Late Adolescence? proposes a controversial new model of how schizophrenia develops in late adolescence and presents clinical material aimed at influencing the way psychosis is treated, building on a state-of-the-art reassessment of the field.
- A major reconceptualisation of how schizophrenia develops
- A controversial approach
- Early intervention programmes are now extremely widespread, so there is much interest in the area and how best to treat this serious psychotic disorder
Table of Contents
Avbout the Authors.
Acknowledgements.
Introduction.
SECTION ONE: WHAT IS THIS SCHIZOPHRENIA?
Chapter 1. Schizophrenia: what is it?
Chapter 2. Biological Disease or Psychological Problem? Who is Right?
Chapter 3.Why Young Men? What the Hell is Going On in Late Adolescence?
Chapter 4. Why Might Some People be Blocked?
SECTION TWO: PSYCHOSIS AND THE SELF.
Chapter 5. The Crisis of the Adolescent Self.
Chapter 6. The Mystery of Self: Why have it? What is it?
Chapter 7. The Potential and the Limit.
Chapter 8. How is the Self Constructed?
Chapter 9. The Insecure Self (Le Neant).
Chapter 10. Alienated/Engulfed Self (Objectité).
SECTION THREE: PERSONAL ACCOUNTS.
Chapter 11. How We Asked People to Give Their Personal Accounts.
Chapter 12. Results I: Anger and Catastrophes.
Chapter 13. Further Results: Linking Conflict Interactions to Symptoms.
Chapter 14. Peer and Romantic Conflicts.
SECTION FOUR: WHAT CAN BE DONE? THERAPEUTIC IDEAS.
Chapter 15. "Character-based" Training.
Chapter 16. Overcoming Interpersonal Blocks to Self Construction.
Chapter 17. Overcoming Symptoms.
Concluding Remarks.
Appendix: The Self and Other Scale.
References.
Author Index.
Subject Index.