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

by Mueser, Kim T.; Gingerich, Susan

• ISBN13: 9781593851804
• ISBN10: 1593851804
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-05-26
• Publisher: The Guilford Press

Summary

Will the person you love ever get better? Chances are you've grappled with the question. With care and support from their families, people with schizophrenia can and do make vast improvements. Noted therapists Kim Mueser and Susan Gingerich deepen your understanding of the illness and cover a wide range of effective treatments. Based on decades of research and experience, they offer pragmatic suggestions for dealing with depression, psychosis, and other symptoms. They show you how to prioritize needs, resolve everyday problems, and encourage your loved one to set life goals. Plus, individual sections highlight special issues for parents, children, siblings, and partners. Whether you’re facing schizophrenia for the first time or you’ve dealt with its impact for years, you’ll discover innovative ways to handle challenges that arise over the course of treatment, from reducing the chances of relapse to making friends and finding work. Recovery isn't an endpoint--it's a lifelong journey. With love, hope, and realistic optimism, striving for it can lead to a richer, more rewarding life for your entire family.

Winner, NAMI/Ken Book Award

Author Biography

Kim T. Mueser, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and professor in psychiatry and community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School. 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. He lives in Henniker, New Hampshire.

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.

Dr. Mueser and Ms. Gingerich have coauthored four books.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Preface	xi
PART I An Overview of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia: The Basics	3	(14)
Diagnosis and Symptoms	17	(15)
Creating a Vision of Recovery	32	(16)
Comprehensive Treatment of Schizophrenia	48	(11)
Community Resources	59	(32)
PART II Special Issues for Family Members
Parents	91	(13)
Siblings	104	(9)
Spouses and Partners	113	(11)
Parenting and Children	124	(21)
PART III Preventing Relapses
Medication	145	(33)
Managing Stress	178	(11)
Developing a Relapse Prevention Plan	189	(17)
Responding to Crises	206	(17)
PART IV Creating a Supportive Environment
Communicating Effectively	223	(11)
Solving Problems	234	(8)
Establishing Household Rules and Sharing Responsibilities	242	(17)
PART V Coping with Specific Problems
Psychotic Symptoms	259	(20)
Negative Symptoms	279	(8)
Cognitive Difficulties	287	(17)
Anxiety	304	(13)
Depression	317	(14)
Alcohol and Drug Abuse	331	(27)
Anger and Violence	358	(13)
Lack of Insight	371	(10)
PART VI Improving Quality of Life
Social Relationships	381	(13)
Work and School	394	(14)
Independent Living and Self-Care Skills	408	(13)
Leisure and Recreation	421	(10)
Dealing with Stigma	431	(10)
Planning for the Future	441	(16)
Resources	457	(16)
Index	473	(8)
About the Authors	481