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Schizophrenia: A Brother Finds Answers in Biological Science
When bright lives are derailed by schizophrenia, bewildered and anxious families struggle to help, and to cope, even as scientists search for causes and treatments that prove elusive. Painful and often misunderstood, schizophrenia profoundly affects people who have the disease and their loved ones. Here Ronald Chase, an accomplished biologist, sets out to discover the facts about the disease and better understand what happened to his older brother, Jim, who developed schizophrenia as a young adult.
Chase’s account alternates between a fiercely loyal and honest memoir and rigorous scientific exploration. He finds scientific answers to deeply personal questions about the course of his brother’s illness. He describes psychiatric practice from the 1950s—when electroconvulsive shock therapy was common and the use of antipsychotic medications was in its infancy—to the development of newer treatments in the 1990s. Current medical and scientific research about the causes of the disease increases our understanding of genetic and environmental factors.
Chase also explores the stigma of mental illness, the evolution of schizophrenia, the paradox of its persistence despite low reproduction rates in persons with the disease, and the human stories behind death statistics. With the author’s intimate knowledge of the suffering caused by this disease, Schizophrenia emphasizes research strategies, the importance of sound scientific approaches, and the challenges that remain.
Chase’s account alternates between a fiercely loyal and honest memoir and rigorous scientific exploration. He finds scientific answers to deeply personal questions about the course of his brother’s illness. He describes psychiatric practice from the 1950s—when electroconvulsive shock therapy was common and the use of antipsychotic medications was in its infancy—to the development of newer treatments in the 1990s. Current medical and scientific research about the causes of the disease increases our understanding of genetic and environmental factors.
Chase also explores the stigma of mental illness, the evolution of schizophrenia, the paradox of its persistence despite low reproduction rates in persons with the disease, and the human stories behind death statistics. With the author’s intimate knowledge of the suffering caused by this disease, Schizophrenia emphasizes research strategies, the importance of sound scientific approaches, and the challenges that remain.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
68 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Chase
5 books2 followersI was born in Chicago, 1940, then lived in Los Angeles, 1948-1958. Stanford University, B.A, dropped out of Harvard Law School, Ph.D in Psychology from M.I.T. Postdoctoral research in Munich and Seattle before moving to Montreal in 1971. I taught neurobiology at McGill University for 38 years, during which time I also did research on snail brains and snail sex, hence my book, Behavior and its Neural Control in Gastropod Molluscs,.
Since my retirement, I have written about mental illness. The Physical Basis describes how one's philosophical views of the mind-body problem influence his or her attitudes toward mental illness. Schizophrenia is a much more personal book. It is both a memoir of my brother and a scientific account of the disease; this book was more than 50 years in the making.
The Making of Modern Psychiatry is an accessible account of the changes that occurred in the second half of the nineteenth century, mostly in Germany. The book focuses on the role of science
My latest book, Great Discoveries in Psychiatry , grew from a comment made by a reader of The Making of Modern Psychiatry. She was disappointed that the history told in The Making ended around the year 1900. What about all the great discoveries made since then? she asked. It didn’t take me long to come up with 15 really important discoveries. They begin early in the 19th century and continue right up to the present.
Since my retirement, I have written about mental illness. The Physical Basis describes how one's philosophical views of the mind-body problem influence his or her attitudes toward mental illness. Schizophrenia is a much more personal book. It is both a memoir of my brother and a scientific account of the disease; this book was more than 50 years in the making.
The Making of Modern Psychiatry is an accessible account of the changes that occurred in the second half of the nineteenth century, mostly in Germany. The book focuses on the role of science
My latest book, Great Discoveries in Psychiatry , grew from a comment made by a reader of The Making of Modern Psychiatry. She was disappointed that the history told in The Making ended around the year 1900. What about all the great discoveries made since then? she asked. It didn’t take me long to come up with 15 really important discoveries. They begin early in the 19th century and continue right up to the present.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 30, 2014
Schizophrenia: A Brother Finds Answers in Biological Science is an interesting approach to Schizophrenia by Ronald Chase. The author whose brother Jim suffered from this illness for several decades.
The book is a recollection of past moments Ronald and Jim shared together, beginning in their childhood when Jim hadn't had any psychotic episode, going through Jim's struggle with Schizophrenia and finishing with Jim's death in a hospital. Between each of these chapters there's a chapter entitled with a question on Schizophrenia (its history, current and past treatments, research, etc.). So the personal account is interwoven with information regarding the illness itself.
The end result is very good. Even when the genetic concepts Chase has to draw to explain current treatments and research might sound complicated with people not familiar with the subject; at the end of these chapters there's a summary that synthesizes perfectly the most important points.
I think people will find this book very comforting (especially the ones that have to deal in one way or another with Schizophrenia). His personal account is very honest, and it even has a certain poignant hint to it. It also explains many things about illness itself in a very straightforward way.
All in all, a superb read. I think anyone with curiosity about what Schizophrenia is, and what it feels like having to deal with patients of this condition will find this book worthwhile.
The book is a recollection of past moments Ronald and Jim shared together, beginning in their childhood when Jim hadn't had any psychotic episode, going through Jim's struggle with Schizophrenia and finishing with Jim's death in a hospital. Between each of these chapters there's a chapter entitled with a question on Schizophrenia (its history, current and past treatments, research, etc.). So the personal account is interwoven with information regarding the illness itself.
The end result is very good. Even when the genetic concepts Chase has to draw to explain current treatments and research might sound complicated with people not familiar with the subject; at the end of these chapters there's a summary that synthesizes perfectly the most important points.
I think people will find this book very comforting (especially the ones that have to deal in one way or another with Schizophrenia). His personal account is very honest, and it even has a certain poignant hint to it. It also explains many things about illness itself in a very straightforward way.
All in all, a superb read. I think anyone with curiosity about what Schizophrenia is, and what it feels like having to deal with patients of this condition will find this book worthwhile.
November 3, 2013
Ronald Chase is uniquely qualified to write a book on schizophrenia; as a biologist he has combed research papers on the subject and as the brother of a person with schizophrenia he knows up close and personal what havoc the disease wrecks on the lives it touches. To blend these two perspectives, Dr. Chase utilizes a unique way of structuring the book: the chapters alternate between the personal story of his brother, Jim, who developed schizophrenia while in college, and the historical and scientific story of schizophrenia itself. The reader is free to either read alternating chapters first, either acquainting themselves with Jim’s story or reading the hard science; or to read them as presented. Personally I read it as presented; the short chapters on Jim’s life (hard to have much of a life when your disorder keeps you living in group home type situations and blunts your curiosity, cutting short what could have been a brilliant life) broke up the facts and figures of the hard science nicely. I found it to be the best book on schizophrenia I’ve read. Jim’s story is heartbreaking, but at the end the science gives just a little bit of hope for others with this same brain disorder- and the author makes it clear that schizophrenia *is* a disorder of the structure and chemistry of the brain, not a ‘mental’ illness that a person can just buck up and overcome.
September 24, 2015
What an amazing book. Ronald Chase manages to open up the world of schizophrenia in two ways. First he brings us the latest findings -- which I found really interesting. But he also puts these findings into perspective by sharing with us his brother's struggle with the disease.
The book begins by presenting us with a 1950's family that looks 'ideal'. But as time passes Ronald's brother Jim's behavior takes them in a direction that no one at the time understood. He was a brilliant young man who began to have chaotic and dangerous episodes of anger. And the sad thing is that neither his family, nor the professionals they engaged were able to provide any concrete assistance. And this ultimately is what drew Mr. Chase into the hard sciences where he sought answers to the question of what causes this disease, and what contributes to it.
At times I found myself furious at the so called professionals of that time. Just as in cases of autism diagnosed in the 50's and 60's they blamed the mother. And they also pretended to have schema that could help, but which really was no better than what voodoo might have accomplished.
Enter the author's explanations of current scientific knowledge. I found them entirely credible. Not that I mean that Science has found THE ANSWER, nor that we know exactly what is going on with this evasive condition. But rather, I mean that the author did not present current knowledge as complete. He gives us the results of studies and he helps us to understand where the possible flaws are. This may be causal, for example, or merely indicate that there's an unknown we haven't discovered yet.
Excellent writing. The science is clearly explained, and the Chase family's experience very much helped to understand the effect of mental disease upon the entire family.
The book begins by presenting us with a 1950's family that looks 'ideal'. But as time passes Ronald's brother Jim's behavior takes them in a direction that no one at the time understood. He was a brilliant young man who began to have chaotic and dangerous episodes of anger. And the sad thing is that neither his family, nor the professionals they engaged were able to provide any concrete assistance. And this ultimately is what drew Mr. Chase into the hard sciences where he sought answers to the question of what causes this disease, and what contributes to it.
At times I found myself furious at the so called professionals of that time. Just as in cases of autism diagnosed in the 50's and 60's they blamed the mother. And they also pretended to have schema that could help, but which really was no better than what voodoo might have accomplished.
Enter the author's explanations of current scientific knowledge. I found them entirely credible. Not that I mean that Science has found THE ANSWER, nor that we know exactly what is going on with this evasive condition. But rather, I mean that the author did not present current knowledge as complete. He gives us the results of studies and he helps us to understand where the possible flaws are. This may be causal, for example, or merely indicate that there's an unknown we haven't discovered yet.
Excellent writing. The science is clearly explained, and the Chase family's experience very much helped to understand the effect of mental disease upon the entire family.
The book begins by presenting us with a 1950's family that looks 'ideal'. But as time passes Ronald's brother Jim's behavior takes them in a direction that no one at the time understood. He was a brilliant young man who began to have chaotic and dangerous episodes of anger. And the sad thing is that neither his family, nor the professionals they engaged were able to provide any concrete assistance. And this ultimately is what drew Mr. Chase into the hard sciences where he sought answers to the question of what causes this disease, and what contributes to it.
At times I found myself furious at the so called professionals of that time. Just as in cases of autism diagnosed in the 50's and 60's they blamed the mother. And they also pretended to have schema that could help, but which really was no better than what voodoo might have accomplished.
Enter the author's explanations of current scientific knowledge. I found them entirely credible. Not that I mean that Science has found THE ANSWER, nor that we know exactly what is going on with this evasive condition. But rather, I mean that the author did not present current knowledge as complete. He gives us the results of studies and he helps us to understand where the possible flaws are. This may be causal, for example, or merely indicate that there's an unknown we haven't discovered yet.
Excellent writing. The science is clearly explained, and the Chase family's experience very much helped to understand the effect of mental disease upon the entire family.
The book begins by presenting us with a 1950's family that looks 'ideal'. But as time passes Ronald's brother Jim's behavior takes them in a direction that no one at the time understood. He was a brilliant young man who began to have chaotic and dangerous episodes of anger. And the sad thing is that neither his family, nor the professionals they engaged were able to provide any concrete assistance. And this ultimately is what drew Mr. Chase into the hard sciences where he sought answers to the question of what causes this disease, and what contributes to it.
At times I found myself furious at the so called professionals of that time. Just as in cases of autism diagnosed in the 50's and 60's they blamed the mother. And they also pretended to have schema that could help, but which really was no better than what voodoo might have accomplished.
Enter the author's explanations of current scientific knowledge. I found them entirely credible. Not that I mean that Science has found THE ANSWER, nor that we know exactly what is going on with this evasive condition. But rather, I mean that the author did not present current knowledge as complete. He gives us the results of studies and he helps us to understand where the possible flaws are. This may be causal, for example, or merely indicate that there's an unknown we haven't discovered yet.
Excellent writing. The science is clearly explained, and the Chase family's experience very much helped to understand the effect of mental disease upon the entire family.
January 14, 2020
My husband and I read this book together because we find ourselves in a similar long term situation. The book is arranged in chapters of alternating memoir and in depth biological science regarding the disease. You can skim the science and focus on a really honest and loving memoir about the author's brother and his family or do the reverse, they are not particularly connected. This book is best if you are not new to this disease, as a friend, family member or victim. The author looks back at his family who have all passed now, and forward to the future of the science, he doesn't hold out much hope of change for the present. I thought the book was pragmatic and not particularly hopeful but neither is the subject. I appreciated that and the love, compassion and yes admiration Ronald Chase has for his brother Jim.
July 9, 2016
I wish books like this had been available and required reading for psychologists/psychiatrists 15 or 20 years ago. The author's sympathy and love for his brother is quite evident in the chapters recalling his life, as is his passion for trying to discover the source/triggers for the onset of schizophrenia.
His enthusiastic and somewhat naive opinion of ECT leaves something to be desired. I would have loved to have had more than a brief touch on cases of childhood schizophrenia, but being as early-onset cases have nothing to do with the nature of the author's brother's experiences, I can understand the deficit. Clearly written and full of respect towards people with schizophrenia, this book is overall an insightful and educational read.
His enthusiastic and somewhat naive opinion of ECT leaves something to be desired. I would have loved to have had more than a brief touch on cases of childhood schizophrenia, but being as early-onset cases have nothing to do with the nature of the author's brother's experiences, I can understand the deficit. Clearly written and full of respect towards people with schizophrenia, this book is overall an insightful and educational read.
April 5, 2019
Interwoven with the facts of a devastating disorder comes the story of Ron, a psychologist, who had an older brother, Jim, with schizophrenia. from pre-schizophrenic to onset that follows all the way to death Ron covers all the treatments Jim endured including the game changer of Thorazine. Ron looks into the biological side of the disorder as information came through research of the disorder.
I liked the way it was presented. Key points summarized and heartbreaking look into a family member seeing the result of a disease that as the author says, maybe something would have been different if Jim was born in this time era.
I liked the way it was presented. Key points summarized and heartbreaking look into a family member seeing the result of a disease that as the author says, maybe something would have been different if Jim was born in this time era.
February 26, 2015
Excellent work by a scientist passionate about schizophrenia because of his brother. I better understand this impossible to understand illness thanks to this book and I believe Chase's statement that, schizophrenia is of the brain, not the mind, sums up the importance of this book. Must read for mental health professionals.
December 14, 2013
The author alternates chapters from his personal experience with his brother's schizophrenia with chapters explaining the history and science of the disease. I learned a lot, and most of it was quite readable, but dry. Definitely recommended for anyone who wants to know more about the disease.
July 12, 2015
Very well written and informative. I enjoyed both the scientific and anecdotal portions. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the learning more about how schizophrenia presents itself in the real world.
December 7, 2013
Subtitled " A Brother Finds Answers in Biological Science." But not really. There are still no answers.
March 2, 2023
A personal, insightful look into schizophrenia and its effects on the family during the middle of the 20th century, written from the perspective of an only sibling, who later went on to study neurology. The chapters alternate between the family's various struggles with the condition and scientific medical information (up to the time of the book's writing, of course).
I was motivated to read this because my maternal grandmother was diagnosed at the end of her long life as having schizophrenia, the effects of which trickled down to my mother and her own kids.
Treatments for, and of, the patient with schizophrenia may have improved since the time this book's family drama took place. Yet it seems to me that--based on how many people, of all ages and backgrounds, who wander and yell obscenities at the air on my own city's street corners, many of whom I imagine have this disorder, or some other sort of dis-ease--there's still a long way to go.
I was motivated to read this because my maternal grandmother was diagnosed at the end of her long life as having schizophrenia, the effects of which trickled down to my mother and her own kids.
Treatments for, and of, the patient with schizophrenia may have improved since the time this book's family drama took place. Yet it seems to me that--based on how many people, of all ages and backgrounds, who wander and yell obscenities at the air on my own city's street corners, many of whom I imagine have this disorder, or some other sort of dis-ease--there's still a long way to go.
September 28, 2022
This is phenomenal book. It alternates back and forth between the author's experiences with his brother who has schizophrenia and with medical studies/findings/history of the disorder itself. The fact that Mr. Chase pursued biology makes it that much more poignant. It is fact-based, with all the sources (which are extensive) listed at the end of the book. Essential reading for anyone interested in learning more about the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in the U.S.A.
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February 17, 2025I really enjoyed the format of this book; alternating between personal anecdotes and scientific presentations helped to keep my attention throughout. Chase generally does a good job at presenting the maddening complexity of schizophrenia, in its definition, history, and treatment.
I recommend this to someone who is beginning to research more in-depth about the disease, as it provides a good breadth of topics that are accessible to non-academics.
I recommend this to someone who is beginning to research more in-depth about the disease, as it provides a good breadth of topics that are accessible to non-academics.
May 26, 2023
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. A chapter with a personal story followed by a chapter on the science and history of the disease. I also like the summaries. I found the book to be interesting and insightful.
September 28, 2023
Good at what it intended- personal story interspersed with science and research analysis. Not my personal taste as felt a bit too in depth on the science and longer than it needed to be
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews