Schizophrenia and Psychotic Spectrum Disorders

Schizophrenia and Psychotic Spectrum Disorders aims to engage young caregivers in psychiatry, psychology, nursing and social work so that they will be able to become well informed about this significant—and at times confusing—illness. Because schizophrenia is considered to be one of the most complicated and severe psychiatric disorders, this book has the goal of summarizing key issues of the illness, such as its presentation, frequency and age of onset, and diagnostic characteristics. It also contains informative chapters about the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, ranging from brain development issues, genetics, and likely abnormalities in neurotransmitters. This book will give young professionals and those joining the field an excellent and accessible background to treatment. In this area, Schizophrenia and Psychotic Spectrum Disorders provides a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, treatment initiation, strategies for non-response, approaches of therapy, and importantly, ways to provide family therapy and support.

S. Charles Schulz, MD, began his career in Schizophrenia Research at NIMH and began the Schizophrenia Program at Medical College of Virginia. He became Director of Schizophrenia Branch at NIMH and cofounded the International Congress on Schizophrenia Research. He has been Department Chair at Case Western Reserve University and University of Minnesota. Michael F. Green, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Director of the Veterans Administration (VA) Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) on Enhancing Community Integration for Homeless Veterans. Dr. Green directs a laboratory (greenlab.npih.ucla.edu) that has explored the relationship between cognitive and social cognitive impairments in schizophrenia and activities of daily living, as well as the neural mechanisms of cognitive and social cognitive dysfunction. Katharine J. Nelson, MD, is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and serves as Vice Chair for Education and Program Director of the Psychiatry Residency in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Nelson practices inpatient psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. Dr. Nelson is an Honors graduate of the University of Minnesota-Morris, and received her medical degree and psychiatry residency training from the University of Minnesota Medical School.