Diagnosis : Schizophrenia: a comprehensive resource for patients, families, and helping professionals

The disease is not fatal but few diagnoses have the capacity to instill as much fear in the hearts of patients and families. Here is a profoundly reassuring book that shows there can be life after a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The book includes thirty-five first-person accounts, along with chapters by professionals on a wide range of issues from hospitalization to rehabilitation. Jargon-free and technically accurate, the chapters are short and offer up-to-date information on medication, coping skills, social services, clinical research, and much more. Patients and their families can read the book from cover to cover or skip around and select topics as the need arises.

A unique book written by and for patients with schizophrenia, with contributions by psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and psychiatric rehabilitation workers. Diagnosis: Schizophrenia is intended to develop and strengthen the understanding of this disease, and to offer tools for patients, their families, and those who provide treatment. Chapters 1 through 15 contain personal stories of patients with schizophrenia, detailing their personal experiences with the first onset of the disease and coping with symptoms. Other chapters provide information on medication, social services, and rehabilitation services.

Publishers Weekly

Shrouded in myth and mystery, distorted by sensationalist films like The Three Faces of Eve and mistakenly confused with multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, the authors argue, is one of the least understood mental disorders in the world. It affects 1% of the U.S. population, and this book, primarily targeted at those with the disease, marks an important entry in the mental health genre, particularly since it is coauthored by a group of 35 patients (from a New York treatment program) and has first-person accounts of diagnosis, delusional states and recovery. Miller and Mason, social workers who specialize in the issue, note that while it's still not clear if there is a cure for schizophrenia, many people can successfully manage the condition through a combination of structured routines, medication and therapy. Readers with short attention spans will be able to handle the short chapters, which offer straightforward, nonjudgmental advice on handling a variety of symptoms. Of particular interest are the sections addressing how much information to give co-workers and employers. The authors assume no prior knowledge or background on the subject, and their book is far easier to understand than the classic title for schizophrenics and their families, E. Fuller Torrey's Surviving Schizophrenia. Illus. (Sept.) Forecast: While the press information indicates that the publisher hopes to capitalize on the recent interest in Andrea Yates and John Nash, a more general readership seems unlikely, given the book's obvious orientation toward people diagnosed with schizophrenia, their friends and relatives. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

A Book Written By And For Patients With Schizophrenia, With Contributions By Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurses, Social Workers, And Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurses, Social Workers, And Psychiatric Rehabilitation Workers. Diagnosis: Schizophrenia Is Intended To Develop And Strengthen The Understanding Of This Disease, And To Offer Tools For Patients, Their Families, And Those Who Provide Treatment. Foreword -- Introductory Note -- Acknowledgments -- About The Authors -- Using This Book -- Introduction : So They Say We Have Schizophrenia -- In The Beginning -- So Many Questions : The Quick Reference Guide -- How The Brain Works -- What Is Schizophrenia? -- Why Me? -- Diagnosing Schizophrenia -- What Will People Think Of Me Now? -- Medication -- Out Of The Hospital And Staying Well -- Coping With Positive And Negative Symptoms -- Coping With Other Symptoms And Side Effects -- Drugs, Alcohol, And Safer Sex -- Under The Microscope -- Zelda's Story -- Who Am I Now? -- Getting The Social Services You Need -- Vocational Rehabilitation -- Client Assistance Program Directory -- Vocational Rehabilitation Directory. [edited By] Rachel Miller And Susan E. Mason. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Includes Web Resources. Presents thrity-five first person accounts by schizophrenia patients, along with information from professionals, covering such topics as medication, coping skills, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and clinical research.