Psychotic Disorders A Practical Guide

This book provides clear and concise guidance for clinicians when they encounter a patient with psychosis, starting with the medical work-up to arrive at a diagnosis and ending with the comprehensive care for patients with established schizophrenia.  It covers the optimal use of medications (emphasizing safe use) but also addresses other treatment approaches (psychological treatments, rehabilitation) and the larger societal context of care, including how to work effectively in complex systems. It uniquely condenses the literature into teaching points without simplifying too much, effectively serving as a learning tool for trainees and professionals.  For this second edition, the book was extensively updated and its content expanded, with new figures as well.  Each chapter begins with an initial summary and includes Tips and Key Points in text boxes.  Each chapter also includes links to external websites and additional readings.  The book contains clinical and practical wisdom for clinicians who are treating real patients at the front lines, setting it apart from all other texts.

Psychotic Disorders is an excellent resource for medical students, early career professionals such as trainees and fellows, and related clinicians seeking additional training and resources, including those in psychiatry, psychology, neurology, and all others.

Forward

Preface

Acknowledgements

Section I: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOSIS

1. Psychotic signs and symptoms

2. Psychosis interview

Section II: DIAGNOSIS AND DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PSYCHOSIS

3. Delirium

4. Drug-induced psychosis

5. Secondary schizophrenia

6. Psychiatric differential diagnosis of psychosis

7. Schizophrenia-spectrum disorders

8. Diagnosing schizophrenia – clinical approach

Section III: TREATMENT OF PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

9. Emergency management of acute psychosis

10. Phase-specific treatment of schizophrenia

11. Antipsychotics – overview

12. Antipsychotics – motor side effects

13. Antipsychotics – non-motor side effects

14. Antipsychotics – clinical effectiveness

15. Ancillary medications

16. Drug interactions

17. Polypharmacy

18. Psychological treatments – the patient

19. Psychological treatments – the family

20. Psychiatric rehabilitation

Section IV: PROGNOSTIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

21. Medical morbidity and mortality

22. HIV/AIDS and serious mental illness

23. Dual diagnosis

24. Nicotine dependence

25. Refractory psychosis and clozapine

26. Negative symptoms

27. Cognition in schizophrenia

28. Depression and suicide

29. Illness insight and medication adherence

30. Forensic aspects of schizophrenia care

31. Social aspects of schizophrenia care

APPENDICES

A. Emergency Cards

B. Assessment Cards

C. Wellness Cards

Suggested readings and citations

Index

Oliver Freudenreich, MD, FACLP
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School
Co-Director, Massachusetts General Hospital Schizophrenia Clinical and Research Program
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts