Understanding Schizophrenia: A Practical Guide for Patients, Families, and Health Care Professionals - Hardcover

"Knowledge concerning the various aspects of schizophrenia has been developing rapidly recently. Keeping up with this multifaceted progress can be a challenging task. Understanding Schizophrenia goes a long way toward producing a much-needed book in this vein. The authors have skillfully integrated relevant research findings and translated them into plain English for meaningful communication to persons with the illness and their family members . . . . From the beginning, the authors make clear that in many cases persons with a diagnosis of schizophrenia can lead a normal life, depending on appropriate treatment and the seriousness of the condition . . . they reaffirm that the traditional Kraepelinian view-that one cannot recover from schizophrenia-is no longer accepted, at least not for everyone with this disorder. . . . The volume provides practical, up-to-date information that should be helpful to anyone affected by, or otherwise interested in, schizophrenia. . . . The book is easy to read and conveys a plethora of valuable suggestions and helpful guidance for persons living with schizophrenia, their family members, and others who want to learn more about this condition, which has so often been portrayed as a mysterious and devastating disorder from which few were able to recover." - Psychiatric Services "This is a resource to keep at hand-to guide people affected by schizophrenia to be proactive managers of the illness and to consult when there is a change or when facing bureaucratic or personal challenges. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Professionals and general readers." - Choice

Written by two physicians with decades of clinical and research experience in the field, this volume helps readers face schizophrenia by understanding what it is and how it is managed. * Provides a succinct, introductory guide to getting started on the road to understanding schizophrenia * Answers questions commonly asked at initial diagnosis and later, and explains facts and concepts using real-world examples and pictorial illustrations * Offers practical, evidence-based, and up-to-date information * Clarifies the nonmedical burdens of schizophrenia, such as loneliness, socialization, and coping with negative emotions * Presents an authoritative, reliable alternative to Internet sources that contain biased or inaccurate information * Helps those who are diagnosed with schizophrenia get the most out of their lives