The Complete Family Guide to Schizophrenia - Helping Your Loved One Get the Most Out of Life

Do people with schizophrenia ever get better? With the vast majority of those with the disorder dependent on their families for care, close relatives often grapple with that question. The Complete Family Guide to Schizophrenia inspires hope. Authors Kim T. Mueser, PhD, and Susan Gingerich, MSW, walk readers through a range of treatment and support options that can lead to a better life for the entire family. Individual chapters highlight special issues for parents, siblings, and partners, while other sections provide tips for dealing with problems including cognitive difficulties, substance abuse, and psychosis. Families learn to help their loved ones manage day-to-day tasks, develop friendships, and set personal life goals. Like no other book, this powerful, practical resource helps families stay connected to the individual behind the disorder so they can work together toward recovery.

List of contents

Foreword, Harriet P. Lefley, PhD
Preface
I. An Overview of Schizophrenia
1. Schizophrenia: Basic Facts, Course, and Outcome
2. Diagnosis and Symptoms
3. Creating a Vision of Recovery
4. Comprehensive Treatment of Schizophrenia
5. Community Resources
II. Special Issues for Family Members
6. Parents
7. Siblings
8. Spouses and Partners
9. Parenting and Children
III. Preventing Relapses
10. Medications
11. Managing Stress
12. Developing a Relapse Prevention Plan
13. Responding to Crises
IV. Creating a Supportive Environment
14. Communicating Effectively
15. Solving Problems
16. Living in Harmony
V. Coping with Specific Problems
17. Psychotic Symptoms
18. Negative Symptoms
19. Cognitive Difficulties
20. Anxiety
21. Depression
22. Alcohol and Drug Abuse
23. Anger and Violence
24. Lack of Insight
VI. Improving Quality of Life
25. Social Relationships
26. Work and School
27. Independent Living and Self-Care Skills
28. Leisure and Recreation
29. Dealing with Stigma
30. Planning for the Future
Resources

About the author

Kim T. Mueser, PhD, a clinical psychologist, is Executive Director of the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University. His clinical and research interests include the treatment of schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder and the diagnosis and treatment of people with multiple disorders. He has published extensively and lectures often on the topic of psychiatric rehabilitation.

Susan Gingerich, MSW, is a clinician and consultant with more than 20 years of clinical experience working with people who have severe mental illness and their families. She has an independent practice in Philadelphia.

Summary

Do people with schizophrenia ever get better? With the vast majority of those with the disorder dependent on their families for care, close relatives often grapple with that question. This book talks about a range of treatment and support options that can lead to a better life for the entire family.

Additional text

"If your loved one has schizophrenia, it challenges your whole family. Mueser and Gingerich cover all the bases to guide you along the road to recovery. Realistic and optimistic at the same time, this book is informative and practical from start to finish."--William T. Carpenter, Jr., MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Maryland Psychiatric Research Center "After our son was diagnosed with schizophrenia, we spent the next four years learning about the illness and trying to help him. We were losing hope until we met Dr. Mueser. With Dr. Mueser's help, and using the principles outlined in this book, our lives and our son's life have greatly improved. So many parents would benefit from reading this book, using the worksheets, and keeping it on hand for continued reference over the years."--Ginger and Frank D., parents "Too often, people with schizophrenia fall between the cracks of our system of care. This compassionate and comprehensive guide shows how you can strengthen your relationship with your ill family member and help him or her navigate the recovery journey. The authors provide state-of-the-art tools for mastering the extraordinary challenges that schizophrenia poses."--Ken Duckworth, MD, Chief Medical Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness "Concerned family members often ask me what they can do to help their loved one who is being treated for schizophrenia. For practical answers to this and many other questions, I will certainly recommend this clearly written, uplifting, and optimistic guide."--David G. Kingdon, MD, University of Southampton School of Medicine, UK "Informative, authoritative, and comprehensive. This detailed guide to understanding and helping someone with schizophrenia dispels common myths and gives very practical advice for a wide range of common problems that family members encounter. It should be given to every family dealing with the diagnosis of a relative. I wish this wonderful book had been available when my brother first became ill."--Xavier Amador, PhD, author of I am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! -

Product details

• Authors: Xavier F. Amador, William T. Carpenter, Susan Gingerich, David G. (UK National Health Service and University of Southampton Kingdon, Kim T Mueser, Kim T (Boston University Mueser, Kim T. Mueser
• Publisher: Guilford Publications
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.12.2021
• EAN: 9781593852733
• ISBN: 978-1-59385-273-3
• No. of pages: 480
• Dimensions: 186 mm x 259 mm x 39 mm
• Weight: 939 g
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > Non-clinical medicine; Psychiatrie