Research on the nature and treatment of schizophrenia has undergone a revival and metamorphosis in the last decade. For a long while, the field had been moribund, weighed down by an unreliable diagnostic system, pessi mism about the possibility of new discoveries, and a dearth of research funds. A number of factors have seemingly coalesced to change this situa tion, with the result that the field is now alive with excitement and optimism. Four factors seem to have played important roles in the resurgence of interest. First, prior to the publication of DSM-III in 1980 there was no reliable diagnostic system for the disorder. Previous definitions were overly general and imprecise. Consequently, the label "schizophrenia" applied to a very heterogeneous group of severely disturhed patients. It was rarely clear whether two investigators had studied comparable samples, making it im possible to determine if (flew findings were generalizahle or if failures to replicate were due to the unreliahility of the results or the fact that the investigators had studied different disorders. DSM-III has not totally re solved this problem, but it has allowed scientists to reliably identify a much more homogeneous group. As a result, it is now possible to integrate the results of different studies, making it much more likely that we can make important advances. The second important factor was the development of new technologies that promised to help uncover the nature and etiology of the disorder.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.

The Clinical Manual for the Treatment of Schizophrenia provides a wide-ranging, empirically based review of assessment and treatment issues in schizophrenia, offered from a multicultural and supremely patient-centered perspective. The following features reflect the care taken in developing this manual, as well as the inclusive nature of the contents: The initial chapter offers a thorough introduction to the disease -- its history, etiology, epidemiology, risk factors, and social aspects -- seen through the lens of a case study. The chapter ends with an overview of the diagnostic process, allowing the reader to place what follows into context. The basic science underlying schizophrenia is explained next, with coverage of biological markers; brain structure, function, and cytology; the dopamine and glutamate hypotheses; and the neurodevelopmental model of the disease. The chapter on clinical assessment focuses on making the differential diagnosis according to established criteria, with emphasis on a person-oriented approach that takes into account early trauma, stressful events, and the subjective well-being of the patient. Subsequent chapters explore cognition, comorbidity, substance abuse, and treatment-resistant symptoms in schizophrenia. Finally, chapters on the pharmacological and psychosocial treatment of schizophrenia compare and contrast these approaches, ensuring that the reader is completely up-to-date and knowledgeable about available treatment options. Clinicians who work with schizophrenic patients in a variety of settings -- from private practice to emergency departments -- will benefit from the scholarship and experience of this manual's astute and insightful authors.

Reviewing the breadth of current knowledge on schizophrenia, this handbook provides clear, practical guidelines for effective assessment and treatment in diverse contexts. Leading authorities have contributed 61 concise chapters on all aspects of the disorder and its clinical management. In lieu of exhaustive literature reviews, each chapter summarizes the state of the science; highlights key points the busy practitioner needs to know; and lists recommended resources, including seminal research studies, invaluable clinical tools, and more. Comprehensive, authoritative, and timely, the volume will enable professionals in any setting to better understand and help their patients or clients with severe mental illness.

Despite growing awareness in the psychiatric community of the multifaceted medical needs of the severely mentally ill, statistics show that as much as 60% of all schizophrenia patients die prematurely from nonpsychiatric medical conditions -- in part because many physicians have not yet recognized how to properly treat common diseases and illnesses within this complex patient population. Medical Illness and Schizophrenia, Second Edition, is the only clinical guide to focus exclusively on the treatment of common medical comorbidities among patients with schizophrenia. Like its best-selling predecessor, the book compiles the latest research and clinical information on integrating medical and psychiatric care for the schizophrenia patient. Twenty-eight physicians and psychiatrists, including editors Jonathan M. Meyer, M.D., and Henry A. Nasrallah, M.D., lend their expertise to this new, expanded edition. In fifteen chapters, this volume covers a wide range of common medical problems -- from metabolic and heart conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, obesity and diabetes, to substance abuse and smoking. Each chapter concludes with "Key Clinical Points" that summarize important concepts and ensure reader retention. Additionally, the second edition includes new chapters that touch on some of the most complex clinical issues in the field of schizophrenia treatment today: Recent trends in the integration of medical and mental healthcare Behavioral treatments for weight loss in persons with schizophrenia Treatment of sexual dysfunction among persons treated for schizophrenia Health outcomes of schizophrenia treatment in children and adolescents Health outcomes of schizophrenia treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding As the only clinical text of its kind, Medical Illness and Schizophrenia, Second Edition, is an invaluable resource for psychiatrists, nurses, healthcare professionals, and psychiatric and clinical residents. The goal of this text has always been to help clinicians recognize schizophrenia as both a brain disorder and a systemic disease with multiple manifestations that go beyond the obvious psychiatric symptoms -- and thus take a broader approach to treatment of schizophrenia. This new edition is a comprehensive, practical manual that serves as a reference for the medical management of seriously mentally ill patients across the age spectrum in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

This book presents the first evidence-based psychotherapy with demonstrated effectiveness for persons with schizophrenia and related disorders. Designed to help patients both achieve and maintain clinical stability, personal therapy combines psychoeducation; internal coping skills training; and enhancement of interpersonal, social, and vocational functioning. The volume describes how to integrate the approach with medical management and provides a practical, three-phase therapy manual, fully documented with findings from the author's influential research program. Detailed information is presented on the application of graduated strategies as the patient moves from a recent psychotic episode, through the process of optimal stabilization, to the resumption of community life outside the home. Also featured are tools for monitoring progress and suggestions for tailoring interventions to the specific needs of each patient.