Schizophrenia continues to be the most debilitating of the psychotic disorders with less than one third returning to a 'normal' level of functioning. Our understanding of this disorder has advanced considerably over the last 10 years with major contributions from neurobiology but particularly from an understanding of the way in which psychosocial and psychological factors interact with underlying vulnerabilities to influence both the content and timing of psychotic symptoms and the personal and social difficulty they create.

This book brings together this disparate and complex literature in a highly accessible and up-to-date way. It is written by two leading academic-clinical psychologists in the area who uniquely bring together an understanding of key scientific concepts with clinical reality. The section on treatment brings to the reader a clear account of psychological, social and drug treatments interspersed with clinical accounts.

The text is aimed primarily at undergraduates attempting to gain some understanding of this exciting and rapidly developing field but with sufficient depth to engage the trainee clinical psychologist, community psychiatric nurse, and psychiatrist.

About the Author

Max Birchwood, Early Intervention Service, Birmingham, UK

Chris Jackson, University of Birmingham, UK

Reviews

"Readers will find this book to be an excellent primer for their understanding of schizophrenia ... The book brings together the extensive literature on schizophrenia and presents it in an easy-to-read and concise manner. The discussion of what is schizophrenia is remarkably well written. The presentation of epidemiological data with particular reference to comorbidity as well as the biopsychosocial aspects is impressive ... The breakdown of therapeutic interventions into social and community and psychosocial interventions is excellent ... The authors' approach to schizophrenia contains the essential information and insight needed for a primer for such a complex disorder ... They have put together a solidly written book and have made a worthwhile contribution to the mental health field." - Nicholas Greco IV, MS (Abbott Laboratories), Doody's Notes"This is a very worthwhile volume. It presents a thorough review of the disorders of behaviour and experience which lead to a diagnosis of schizophrenia ... The volume is an ideal introduction to the vast research literature on schizophrenia ... The book will be ideally suited to final year undergraduates undertaking an 'Abnormal Psychology' Option, and also as an introductory text for trainee clinical psychologists and psychiatrists ... I strongly recommend it." - Professor David Hemsley, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

"This is a very worthwhile volume. It presents a thorough review of the disorders of behaviour and experience which lead to a diagnosis of schizophrenia ... The volume is an ideal introduction to the vast research literature on schizophrenia ... The book will be ideally suited to final year undergraduates undertaking an 'Abnormal Psychology' Option, and also as an introductory text for trainee clinical psychologists and psychiatrists ... I strongly recommend it." - Professor David Hemsley, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

Book Information
ISBN 9780863775536
Author Max Birchwood
Format Paperback
Page Count 176
Imprint Psychology Press Ltd
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 220g