Me, Myself, and Them A Firsthand Account of One Young Person's Experience with Schizophrenia

by Snyder, Kurt; Gur, Raquel E.; Andrews, Linda Wasmer

• ISBN13: 9780195311235
• ISBN10: 019531123X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-10-29
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

During his second semester at college, Kurt Snyder became convinced that he was about to discover a fabulously important mathematical principle, spending hours lost in daydreams about numbers and symbols. In time, his thoughts took a darker turn, and he became preoccupied with the idea that cars were following him, or that strangers wanted to harm him. Kurt's mind had been hijacked by schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder that typically strikes during the late teen or young adult years. InMe, Myself, and Them, Kurt, now an adult, looks back from the vantage point of recovery and eloquently describes the debilitating changes in thoughts and perceptions that took hold of his life during his teens and twenties. As a memoir, this book is remarkable for its unvarnished look at the slow and difficult process of coming back from severe mental illness. Yet Kurt's memoir is only half the story. With the help of psychiatrist Raquel E. Gur, M.D., Ph.D., and veteran science writer Linda Wasmer Andrews, Kurt paints the big picture for others affected by adolescent schizophrenia. Drawing on the latest scientific and medical evidence, he explains how to recognize warning signs, where to find help, and what treatments have proved effective. Kurt also offers practical advice on topics of particular interest to young people, such as suggestions on managing the illness at home, school, and work, and in relationships with family and friends. Part of the Adolescent Mental Health Initiative series of books written specifically for teens and young adults,My, Myself, and Themoffers hope to young people who are struggling with schizophrenia, helping them to understand and manage the challenges of this illness and go on to lead healthy lives.

Author Biography

Kurt Snyder is a database administrator for the state of Maryland as well as president of his local volunteer fire department.
Rachel Gur, MD, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she has acted as Director of the Neuropsychiatry section and the Schizophrenia Research Center.
Linda Wasmer Andrews is a freelance health and psychology writer based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is the coauthor of Monochrome Days: A Firsthand Account of One Teenager's Experience with Depression as well as the author or coauthor of numerous other books, including Stress Control for Peace of Mind. Her writing has appeared in magazines such as Self, Parenting, and Psychology Today.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
A Fragmented Mind: Overview of Schizophrenia	p. 1
My Story	p. 1
Delusions of grandeur	p. 1
The early days	p. 4
The Big Picture	p. 8
So what is schizophrenia?	p. 9
Who gets schizophrenia?	p. 10
Where does schizophrenia come from?	p. 11
What are the early warning signs?	p. 16
First Encounters With Them: Symptoms and Paranoia	p. 19
My Story	p. 19
A change of plan	p. 20
Being watched	p. 21
A new opportunity	p. 23
An unanswered message	p. 26
Too many coincidences	p. 28
Uncertain assumptions	p. 34
An imagination run wild	p. 37
The Big Picture	p. 40
What are positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?	p. 41
How important are cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia?	p. 47
Are people with schizophrenia aware of how sick they are?	p. 48
What are the different types of schizophrenia?	p. 48
In the Grip of Them: Losing Touch With Reality	p. 53
My Story	p. 53
Getting away	p. 53
Glasgow, Montana	p. 56
Intrusion	p. 59
Lockdown	p. 63
Returning home	p. 65
The Big Picture	p. 67
How does schizophrenia affect everyday life?	p. 68
When and why is hospitalization helpful?	p. 71
What are the ins and outs of inpatient care?	p. 74
Where can you get help outside the hospital?	p. 77
Naming and Facing the Enemy: Diagnosis and Treatment	p. 79
My Story	p. 79
The delusions intensify	p. 80
Back to the hospital	p. 81
Back to the outside world	p. 82
Giving THEM a name	p. 83
The Big Picture	p. 84
How is schizophrenia diagnosed?	p. 84
What conditions often coexist with schizophrenia?	p. 86
Why is professional treatment so important?	p. 89
What medications are used to treat schizophrenia?	p. 90
How does psychological and behavioral therapy help?	p. 96
What is the outlook for the future?	p. 100
Beating the Enemy: Recovery from Schizophrenia	p. 103
My Story	p. 103
Accepting schizophrenia	p. 105
A new direction	p. 106
The Big Picture	p. 109
What are psychosocial rehabilitation programs?	p. 110
What types of training and support are available?	p. 111
How can you cope with schizophrenia at school?	p. 115
How can you deal with schizophrenia at work?	p. 119
What are options for living on your own?	p. 121
What are tips for handling social situations?	p. 126
What are tips for coping with stress and change?	p. 130
Putting the Pieces Back Together: My Life Today	p. 133
Epilogue to My Story	p. 133
Frequently Asked Questions	p. 137
Glossary	p. 143
Resources	p. 149
Bibliography	p. 157
Index	p. 159
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.