If Your Adolescent Has Schizophrenia: An Essential Resource for Parents

178 Pages·2006·0.58 MB·English

by  Raquel E. Gur

Advance Acclaim for
If Your Adolescent Has Schizophrenia
“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 con-
stantly exclaiming, ‘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
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)
“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 Schizophrenia Foundation
“Whether this is your first venture into learning about the realm of adolescent schizophre-
nia, 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
The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands’
Adolescent Mental Health Initiative
Patrick Jamieson, Ph.D., series editor
Other books in the series
If Your Adolescent Has an
Anxiety Disorder (2006)
Edna B. Foa, Ph.D., and Linda Wasmer Andrews
If Your Adolescent Has Depression
or Bipolar Disorder (2005)
Dwight L. Evans, M.D., and Linda Wasmer Andrews
If Your Adolescent Has an Eating Disorder (2005)
B. Timothy Walsh, M.D., and V. L. Cameron
If Your Adolescent
Has Schizophrenia
An Essential Resource for Parents
Raquel E. Gur, M.D., Ph.D., and
Ann Braden Johnson, Ph.D.
The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands’
Adolescent Mental Health Initiative
2006
Oxford University Press, Inc., publishes works that
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Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gur, Raquel E.
If your adolescent has schizophrenia : an essential resource for parents / Raquel E. Gur
and Ann Braden Johnson.
p. cm.
“The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, the Annenberg Public Policy Center at
the University of Pennsylvania.”
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-518211-8 ISBN-10: 0-19-518211-1 (cloth)
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-518212-5 ISBN-10: 0-19-518212-X (pbk)
1. Schizophrenia in children. 2. Schizophrenia in adolescence. 3. Children—Mental
health. I. Johnson, Ann Braden, 1945– II. Title.
RJ506.S3G68 2006 618.92'898—dc22 2005026317
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper
Contents
Foreword ix
One
Introduction: A Parent’s Nightmare 1
Two
Understanding the Disorder: What It Is and
What to Expect 4
Definition of Schizophrenia 4
Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia 6
Diagnosis of Schizophrenia: What Does It Tell You? 16
What Causes Schizophrenia? 20
Schizophrenia and Related Problems 28
The Dangers of Doing Nothing 41
Future Prospects 43
Three
Getting the Right Treatment for Your Child:
Medications, Therapy, and More 45
Treatment Providers: Who They Are and
How to Find the Right Ones 46
v
vi Contents
Psychopharmacology, or Treating With Medication 49
Behavioral and Psychological Therapies 54
Medication Plus Psychotherapy 57
Hospitalization 58
Outpatient Therapy 63
Partial Hospitalization or Intensive Outpatient Treatment 67
Continuity of Care 68
Other Therapeutic Options: Psychiatric Rehabilitation 70
Adherence: Getting the Most Out of Treatment 81
Treating Associated Problems 84
Navigating the Health Care System 89
Four
Everyday Life 91
Dealing With Your Own Feelings 92
Dealing With the Stigma of Mental Illness 95
Managing Your Relationship With Your Child:
Acceptance and Communication 99
Managing Daily Life 102
Finding Support for Family and Patient Alike 112
Paul: A Story of Recovery 114
Five
Prevention of Schizophrenia: The Challenges 119
Six
Conclusion: A Call for Action 124
Obtaining Essential Services 125
Educating Others 128
Glossary 129
Resources
Essential Reading 137
Organizations and Services 138
Contents vii
Appendix 1: Diagnostic Criteria for Schizophrenia 147
Appendix 2: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and
Supported Employment Programs 149
Bibliography 153
Index 157