Complete Family Guide to Schizophrenia

Kim T. Mueser, PhD, a clinical psychologist, is Executive Director of the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University. His clinical and research interests include the treatment of schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder and the diagnosis and treatment of people with multiple disorders. He has published extensively and lectures often on the topic of psychiatric rehabilitation.Susan Gingerich, MSW, is a clinician and consultant with more than 20 years of clinical experience working with people who have severe mental illness and their families. She has an independent practice in Philadelphia.

• Foreword, Harriet P. Lefley, PhDPrefaceI. An Overview of Schizophrenia1. Schizophrenia: Basic Facts, Course, and Outcome2. Diagnosis and Symptoms3. Creating a Vision of Recovery4. Comprehensive Treatment of Schizophrenia5. Community ResourcesII. Special Issues for Family Members6. Parents7. Siblings8. Spouses and Partners9. Parenting and ChildrenIII. Preventing Relapses10. Medications11. Managing Stress12. Developing a Relapse Prevention Plan13. Responding to CrisesIV. Creating a Supportive Environment14. Communicating Effectively15. Solving Problems16. Living in HarmonyV. Coping with Specific Problems17. Psychotic Symptoms18. Negative Symptoms19. Cognitive Difficulties20. Anxiety21. Depression22. Alcohol and Drug Abuse23. Anger and Violence24. Lack of InsightVI. Improving Quality of Life25. Social Relationships26. Work and School27. Independent Living and Self-Care Skills28. Leisure and Recreation29. Dealing with Stigma30. Planning for the FutureResources

"If your loved one has schizophrenia, it challenges your whole family. Mueser and Gingerich cover all the bases to guide you along the road to recovery. Realistic and optimistic at the same time, this book is informative and practical from start to finish."--William T. Carpenter, Jr., MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Maryland Psychiatric Research Center"After our son was diagnosed with schizophrenia, we spent the next four years learning about the illness and trying to help him. We were losing hope until we met Dr. Mueser. With Dr. Mueser's help, and using the principles outlined in this book, our lives and our son's life have greatly improved. So many parents would benefit from reading this book, using the worksheets, and keeping it on hand for continued reference over the years."--Ginger and Frank D., parents"Too often, people with schizophrenia fall between the cracks of our system of care. This compassionate and comprehensive guide shows how you can strengthen your relationship with your ill family member and help him or her navigate the recovery journey. The authors provide state-of-the-art tools for mastering the extraordinary challenges that schizophrenia poses."--Ken Duckworth, MD, Chief Medical Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness"Concerned family members often ask me what they can do to help their loved one who is being treated for schizophrenia. For practical answers to this and many other questions, I will certainly recommend this clearly written, uplifting, and optimistic guide."--David G. Kingdon, MD, University of Southampton School of Medicine, UK"Informative, authoritative, and comprehensive. This detailed guide to understanding and helping someone with schizophrenia dispels common myths and gives very practical advice for a wide range of common problems that family members encounter. It should be given to every family dealing with the diagnosis of a relative. I wish this wonderful book had been available when my brother first became ill."--Xavier Amador, PhD, author of I am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! -