Schizophrenia

A Guide For Patients And Families (US) - This guide is designed to answer the most frequently asked questions about schizophrenia and how it is treated. Many of the recommendations are based on a recent survey of over 100 experts on schizophrenia who were asked about the best ways to treat this illness.
 

Genetic Testing and its Relevance to Treating Schizophrenia (NZ) - One large area of interest is in knowing whether there are particular genotypes that make a person more likely to have the disorder. There are a number of "candidate genes" that have been shown to have an association with the disorder but none are either necessary or sufficient in themselves. It is likely that we will find there are genetic determinants that they are a part of that contribute and interact with a number of other factors such as prenatal and early life experiences - Dr Wayne Miles, Clinical Associate Professor at Auckland University.
 

Zeldox - Recently Funded Treatment (NZ) - Supporting Families Auckland staff recently met with Pfizer's Hospital Sales Representative (Auckland), Sandra Crous, who talked with the Fieldwork team about the recently subsidized atypical antipsychotic, Zeldox. As a newly available treatment option (in New Zealand) for service users diagnosed with schizophrenia, We are happy to include Sandra's information about Zeldox in the interests of informing families and whanau of developments in the sector.

 

Impact Of Schizophrenia On Carers In NZ - The Cost Of Caring (NZ) - The New Zealand questionnaire contained seven main sections; demographics, time spent caring for someone with schizophrenia, costs associated with caring, questions regarding employment while caring, caring and unpaid activities, information about the person with schizophrenia being cared for and additional questions regarding caring.

 

Family Psychoeducation For Schizophrenia (ITY) - This study explored the effectiveness of a psychoeducational family intervention for schizophrenia on patients' personal and social functioning as well as on relatives' burden and perceived support.

 

What Schizophrenia Is Not - Though important facts are still missing from our contemporary understanding of schizophrenia's causes, we know enough today to say that schizophrenia is definitively a biologically based disease of the brain, and not something caused by evil spirits, witchcraft, or demonic possession as was once widely thought.
 

What Is Psychosis? - Psychosis is the description given to mental health experiences in which there is a loss of connection with reality. In the very early stages, it is difficult to detect and young people at risk of developing psychosis may present with a number of vague and unspecified signs and symptoms such as social withdrawal, poor concentration, feeling uneasy, suspiciousness, abstract speech, and generally a sense that "something is not quite right".

 

Mental Illness, Myths & Facts - Mental illnesses and addictions are very common. They are also widely misunderstood. People with mental illnesses and addictions are frequently stigmatised by others for a variety of reasons: they may think mental illness is an uncommon condition or that addictions are the user's own fault. The truth is, mental illness and addictions can happen to anybody.

 

Employers: When support Is Needed -  Regular work planning sessions, appraisals or informal chats about progress can all provide neutral and non-stigmatising opportunities to find out about any problems your employee may be having. It is helpful to use open questions that allow the employee maximum opportunity to express concerns in his or her own way.

 

I Haven't Told Them, They Haven't Asked - The Employment Experiences of People With Experience of Mental Illness.

 

Family Attitudes - Families and whanau may play an important role in the lives of people with experience of mental illness.  People with experience of mental illness often rely on family members as part of their support mechanisms.  The relationships with family members may be the closest relationships that we have.

 

Aspects of Stigma - Stigma and discrimination towards people with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, and even towards their families, is a huge problem. But until we can define what we are dealing with when we talk of stigma and discrimination we may not be able to do anything very much.

 

Schizophrenia Quiz - How much do you know about schizophrenia? Try this True or False Quiz that mixes myth and fact about the mental illness.

 

What Is Schizophrenia? - A fact sheet from the Mental Health Foundation.

 

Schizophrenia - NZ treatment guide for consumers & carers.

 

Report On Early Detection & Intervention - For young people at risk of psychosis.

 

Youth & Psychosis - What parents should know.

Helpguide.Org (US) - Schizophrenia can be frightening, but it doesn’t have to define your life. With medication, therapy, and support, many people with schizophrenia are able to control their symptoms, gain greater independence, and lead fulfilling lives.

 

MentalHelp.net (US) - Schizophrenia is a brain disease that interferes with normal brain functioning. It causes affected people to exhibit odd and often highly irrational or disorganized behavior.

 

Schizophrenia.com (US) - 60 tips for helping people who have schizophrenia.

 

Xavier Amador PhD (US) - Articles by Xavier Amador: Psychologist, Author, Professor, News Consultant & Speaker