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Schizophrenia For Dummies
Practical tools for leading a happy, productive life
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling mental disorder that afflicts one percent of the population, an estimated 2.5 million people in America alone. The firsthand advice in this reassuring guide will empower the families and caregivers of schizophrenia patients to take charge, offering expert advice on identifying the warning signs, choosing the right health professional, understanding currently available drugs and those on the horizon (as well as their side effects), and evaluating traditional and alternative therapies.
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling mental disorder that afflicts one percent of the population, an estimated 2.5 million people in America alone. The firsthand advice in this reassuring guide will empower the families and caregivers of schizophrenia patients to take charge, offering expert advice on identifying the warning signs, choosing the right health professional, understanding currently available drugs and those on the horizon (as well as their side effects), and evaluating traditional and alternative therapies.
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2008
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181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 14, 2017
Lots of good information in here but I would not recommend that one use the ACT team and they do warn you that not all the people working in these hospitals and with the organizations mentioned in the book are professional and they give you signs to watch out for which I thought was good. The book did make me feel like I was a burden on my caretaker but it also outlined things for the caregiver to remember about the person they are caring for. It also made me realize the stress that I have brought to my family, but I try my best not to appear lazy as the book describes. I appreciated all the warning signs of when someone diagnosed with schizophrenia is having a hard time and what to do to avoid causing them more stress than they already have. Overall it was good but it did not make me feel good about myself.
November 15, 2018
this book has helped me and my family out. While it gears towards the caregivers of someone with schizophrenia the information given is good.
December 25, 2021
My first read about schizophrenia. A good overview, although I want to read more sources to get a more complete picture of schizophrenia.
October 26, 2014
The title, Schizophrenia for Dummies, is, indeed, correct. This book is for dummies, or at least will not further your ability to overcome schizophrenia if you buy what it is selling.
To begin with, the cover invites the reader to "learn to help their loved one live a happier, more productive life." How patronizing. Note that there is no mention of the person with schizophrenia learning to help him/herself take charge of their own life. Using the term your loved one when it comes to schizophrenia may at times be necessary but it has the chill of a body on ice.
The inside of the book subtly reinforces the idea that your relative is, and will continue to be, managed and dependent. The authors, Irene Levine, Ph.D. and Jerome Levine, M.D. are profoundly indebted, of course, to members of NAMI, an organization which, in my opinion, perpetuates stigma. The book trots out the usual stuff about myth busting such as the myth of split personality, the myth that people with schizophrenia are violent, the myth that bad parenting is the cause. All of these so-called myths have a basis that is conveniently forgotten these days. It is easier to call them myths than to actually figure out the understandable and surprising secrets that underly them. There are excellent and effective holistic therapies that can shine a light on these areas, but these therapies will not be found in this book.
There is a cartoon towards the end of the book that sums up the bias of the NAMI-indebted authors towards instilling a take charge of your own life perspective. An aging father is talking to his son in the son's bedroom: "Why don't we talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication, and then see about building that underground railroad to all your friends' homes." Humor is needed, but the message is not encouraging. Dependent, aging child, aging parent. How long is that child/man going to be living at home in the same bedroom he grew up in? The cartoon inadvertently raises the question, if the medications are really all that effective, as the father seems to believe, how come the kid is still delusional?
To begin with, the cover invites the reader to "learn to help their loved one live a happier, more productive life." How patronizing. Note that there is no mention of the person with schizophrenia learning to help him/herself take charge of their own life. Using the term your loved one when it comes to schizophrenia may at times be necessary but it has the chill of a body on ice.
The inside of the book subtly reinforces the idea that your relative is, and will continue to be, managed and dependent. The authors, Irene Levine, Ph.D. and Jerome Levine, M.D. are profoundly indebted, of course, to members of NAMI, an organization which, in my opinion, perpetuates stigma. The book trots out the usual stuff about myth busting such as the myth of split personality, the myth that people with schizophrenia are violent, the myth that bad parenting is the cause. All of these so-called myths have a basis that is conveniently forgotten these days. It is easier to call them myths than to actually figure out the understandable and surprising secrets that underly them. There are excellent and effective holistic therapies that can shine a light on these areas, but these therapies will not be found in this book.
There is a cartoon towards the end of the book that sums up the bias of the NAMI-indebted authors towards instilling a take charge of your own life perspective. An aging father is talking to his son in the son's bedroom: "Why don't we talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication, and then see about building that underground railroad to all your friends' homes." Humor is needed, but the message is not encouraging. Dependent, aging child, aging parent. How long is that child/man going to be living at home in the same bedroom he grew up in? The cartoon inadvertently raises the question, if the medications are really all that effective, as the father seems to believe, how come the kid is still delusional?
June 6, 2011
When I picked up this book at library I expected it to be written for people who are interested to learn about schizophrenia, for these who are diagnosed with it and for these who have someone they love with schizophrenia. Nope. The title should be different as this book focuses on people who have someone they love with schizophrenia. Plus in some chapters given advices will be helpful only for these who happen to live in USA.
May 5, 2013
Točno to, kar naslov obljublja :)
April 2, 2017
I only wish I had found this book sooner. without saying too much, I want everyone who loves me to read this book. It is so hard to find a good book about schizophrenia. It's depressing looking at a bookstore bookshelf on mental illnesses where there is no end to books featuring the disease du jour. Apparently it's more socially acceptable to have manic depression or OCD or ADHD.
All I know is this will not be easy.
All I know is this will not be easy.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews