If your Adolescent Has Schizophrenia

Raquel E. Gur, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she has acted as Director of the Neuropsychiatry section and the Schizophrenia Research Center. Ann Braden Johnson, Ph.D., is a freelance medical writer and a psychotherapist by training.

• Foreword ; 1. Introduction: A Parent's Nightmare ; 2. Understanding the Disorder: What It Is and What to Expect ; 3. Getting the Right Treatment for Your Child: Medications, Therapy, and More ; 4. Everyday Life ; 5. Prevention of Schizophrenia: The Challenges ; 6. Conclusion: A Call for Action ; Appendix 1: Diagnostic Criteria for Schizophrenia ; Appendix 2: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Supported Employment Programs

"Gur and Johnson present a solid overview of schizophrenia in this current, accessible volumethis book will empower parents to seek out the proper professionals, therapies, and medications to help their teen manage and treat the disease. In particular, "How Parents Can Help" sections in each chapter outline such topics as how parents can proactively seek hospital admission for their child, maintain a proper medication schedule and become involved in thepolitics of mental health."--Publishers Weekly"Truth rings out from every page of this incredible book that can be devoured in one sitting. It is exactly what parents need to know, delivered with precisely the right measure of science and personal story. Our son was diagnosed with schizophrenia six years ago at age 21. How I wish we could have had this book 12 years ago when the bewildering nightmare began. All my own strong opinions about the mental health "system" are here. I found myself constantlyexclaiming, 'Yes!'"--Minnesota State Representative Mindy Greiling, Chair of the National Board of Director's Policy Subcommittee on Children, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)"Unique and invaluableconcise, accurate, informative, and instructive. This is the first book I have seen that speaks directly and clearly to the primary questions and problems that overwhelm parents trying to cope with the tragedy of schizophrenia in their family. From making sense out of diagnostic uncertainty, to explaining about genes and the brain, to no-nonsense advice about treatment and rehabilitation, this book fills a gap that has long been needed." --Daniel R. Weinberger, M.D., National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)"This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help."--Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI)"This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help."--Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI)"Whether this is your first venture into learning about the realm of adolescent schizophrenia, or your latest addition to a growing library, this book will be of invaluable assistance. With the perfect blend of scientific expertise and down to earth explanations, Drs. Gur and Johnson provide a very useful guide for all people affected by adolescents with schizophrenia and for their relatives." --Ming T. Tsuang, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor of Psychiatry,University of California at San Diego"Parents must cope with illness in their child, and the challenge could hardly be greater than when the diagnosis is schizophrenia. This book provides expert knowledge, perspective, and guidance in a practical, reader-friendly format. The information will support each step in the recovery journey."--William T. Carpenter Jr., M.D., Director, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center"Truth rings out from every page of this incredible book that can be devoured in one sitting. It is exactly what parents need to know, delivered with precisely the right measure of science and personal story. Our son was diagnosed with schizophrenia six years ago at age 21. How I wish we could have had this book 12 years ago when the bewildering nightmare began. All my own strong opinions about the mental health "system" are here. I found myself constantlyexclaiming, 'Yes!'"--Minnesota State Representative Mindy Greiling, Chair of the National Board of Director's Policy Subcommittee on Children, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)"Unique and invaluable, concise, accurate, informative, and instructive. This is the first book I have seen that speaks directly and clearly to the primary questions and problems that overwhelm parents trying to cope with the tragedy of schizophrenia in their family. From making sense out of diagnostic uncertainty, to explaining about genes and the brain, to no-nonsense advice about treatment and rehabilitation, this book fills a gap that has long beenneeded." --Daniel R. Weinberger, M.D., National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)"This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help." -Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness(NAMI)"The National Schizophrenia Foundation is always delighted to have new resources made available that will inform persons with schizophrenia and their family members about the disease and provide tools for dealing with it. First-person accounts are extremely important in allowing people to truly understand the reality of schizophrenia and the road to recovery. Kudos to Drs. Gur and Johnson!" --Eric C. Hufnagel, President & CEO, National SchizophreniaFoundation"Whether this is your first venture into learning about the realm of adolescent schizophrenia, or your latest addition to a growing library, this book will be of invaluable assistance. With the perfect blend of scientific expertise and down to earth explanations, Drs. Gur and Johnson provide a very useful guide for all people affected by adolescents with schizophrenia and for their relatives." --Ming T. Tsuang, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor of Psychiatry,University of California at San Diego"Parents must cope with illness in their child, and the challenge could hardly be greater than when the diagnosis is schizophrenia. This book provides expert knowledge, perspective, and guidance in a practical, reader-friendly format. The information will support each step in the recovery journey." --William T. Carpenter Jr., M.D., Director, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center"Gur and Johnson present a solid overview of schizophrenia in this current, accessible volumethis book will empower parents to seek out the proper professionals, therapies, and medications to help their teen manage and treat the disease. In particular, "How Parents Can Help" sections in each chapter outline such topics as how parents can proactively seek hospital admission for their child, maintain a proper medication schedule and become involved in thepolitics of mental health."--Publishers Weekly