Schizophrenia, a term introduced by Bleuler, names a persistent, often chronic and usually serious mental disorder affecting a variety of aspects of behavior,
thinking, and emotion. Patients with delusions or hallucinations may be described as psychotic. Thinking
may be disconnected and illogical. Peculiar behaviors may be associated with social
withdrawal and disinterest.
A. Characteristic symptoms: Two (or more) of the following, each present
for a significant portion of time during a 1-month period (or less if
successfully treated):
Note: Only one Criterion A symptom is required if delusions are bizarre
or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the
person's behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each
other.
B. Social/occupational dysfunction: For a significant portion of the time
since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such
as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level
achieved prior to the onset (or when the onset is in childhood or adolescence,
failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational
achievement).
C. Duration: Continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least 6
months. This 6-month period must include at least 1 month of symptoms
(or less
if successfully treated) that meet Criterion A (i.e., active-phase symptoms) and
may include periods of prodromal or residual symptoms. During these prodromal or
residual periods, the signs of the disturbance may be manifested by only
negative symptoms or two or more symptoms listed in Criterion A present in an
attenuated form (e.g., odd beliefs, unusual perceptual experiences).
D. Schizoaffective and Mood Disorder exclusion: Schizoaffective Disorder
and Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features have been ruled out because either (1)
no Major Depressive, Manic, or
Mixed Episodes have occurred concurrently with
the active-phase symptoms; or (2) if mood episodes have occurred during
active-phase symptoms, their total duration has been brief relative to the
duration of the active and residual periods.
E. Substance/general medical condition exclusion: The disturbance is not
due to the direct physiological effects of a substance
(e.g., a drug of abuse, a
medication) or a general medical condition.
F. Relationship to a Pervasive Developmental
Disorder: If there is a
history of Autistic Disorder or another Pervasive Developmental Disorder, the
additional diagnosis of Schizophrenia is made only if prominent delusions or
hallucinations are also present for at least a month (or less if successfully
treated).
Classification of longitudinal course (can be applied only after at least
1 year has elapsed since the initial onset of active-phase symptoms):
Episodic With Interepisode Residual Symptoms (episodes are defined by the
reemergence of prominent psychotic symptoms); also specify if: With
Prominent Negative Symptoms
Episodic With No Interepisode Residual Symptoms
Continuous (prominent psychotic symptoms are present throughout the
period of observation); also specify if: With Prominent Negative
Symptoms
Single Episode In Partial Remission; also specify if: With
Prominent Negative Symptoms
Burke, Ross David When the Music's Over - My Journey Into Schizophrenia
Paperback 1996 The
tragedy of schizophrenia cannot really be understood by anyone who's never been there, but
Burke takes us very close. The psychotic chaos and the bizarre feelings are all written
bravely by Burke in a way that moves one to compassion and admiration. Burke was born in
Austria in 1953 and while he was in and out of mental hospitals and jails, plagued by paranoid schizophrenia for over ten years, he wrote his
novel. As soon as it was finished, he took an overdose of drugs and ended his life. He was
32 years old at the time. The book takes you between Burke's moments of reality and his delusions. He complains about taking medication for various
reasons such as weight gain, dry mouth, poor concentration, reduced sexual performance and
low maturation. He preferred to medicate himself with alcohol and drugs. In one of his suicide notes, he wrote,
"I'm a paranoid schizophrenic and for us, life is hell; I'm sorry God."
W/AMI
Govig, Stewart D Souls are
Made of EnduranceThis book was donated to W/AMI by the author who is a
professor of religion at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington, and also a W/AMI
member. It is a heartrending narrative of of his son's mental illness (schizophrenia) and
reveals how the family grappled with rage, fear and frustration when first challenged by
the irrational behaviors displayed by his son's illness. Even a question of faith and of
God enters into the conflict. The conflict and ambivalence eventually turns to love,
compassion, hope and understanding as schizophrenia, a neurobiological brain disease, is
accepted. Analogies between various situations and symptoms of
the illness and Bible passages throughout the book are thought-provoking. Govig takes the
reader down a road many of us have traveled to the depths of pain and anguish. But faith
and hope prevail. The book is intelligently written and easy to read. Reviewed by Susan
Cleva, W/AMI
Modrow, John How to Become a
SchizophrenicMr. Modrow lives in Washington state and has done an
enormous amount of research in writing this book. Although I do not always agree with the
author's conclusions on mental illness, the information on his early childhood and adult
life was interesting. Reviewed by Susan Cleva, W/AMI
Torrey, E. Fuller: Surviving
Schizophrenia - A Manual for Families Consumers and ProvidersPaperback
1995 The updated 3rd edition of Surviving Schizophrenia by Dr. Torrey
is EXCELLENT. It is easy to read and presents detailed information from a writer of great
knowledge. Torrey is one of the few psychiatrists who truly understands the devastation
that schizophrenia can cause to consumers and family members. Sections on medication,
causes of the illness, and exemplary treatment programs, as well as the chapters on stigma
and lessons in how to advocate, are welcome additions to earlier editions. The chapter on
Rehabilitation of Schizophrenia is quite good, too. The book gives answers to questions
most often asked by families, consumers and providers. Dr. Torrey states that the lack of
continuity of care and treatment by mental health professionals who do not understand
schizophrenia are major problems. He includes distressing facts gleaned from research that
indicate "there are as many individuals with schizophrenia in jails and prisons as
there are in all hospitals." Dr. Torrey says that 29% of jails hold such individuals
with no charges against them and the vast majority who do have charges are charged with misdemeanors.
Surviving Schizophrenia is a wonderful reference book which can be used
by advocates when they give talks or present testimony before legislators, imparting basic
knowledge about serious mental illness. This book has long been the most checked out book
in the W/AMI Library. Reviewed by Susan Cleva, W/AMI
The Truman Show DVD
Jim Carrey
1998 Jim Carrey's character's experience of being the unaware star of a lifelong TV
show must be something akin to what it must be like to be schizophrenic and delusional.
Wyden, Peter Conquering
Schizophrenia - A Father, His Son and a Medical Breakthrough Hardcover 1998
This
book by Peter Wyden (1977) tells of the twenty five years that the author's son struggled
with schizophrenia. It documents how he was hospitalized numerous times and of the many,
many psychiatrists, clinics and group homes
he was involved with. It also tells of the various medications taken, the shock
treatments, and even the hypnosis tried. It then explains that he was put on olanzapine and in his father's words,
"Jeff was like a civilian!" His mind was opening and even though there is no
cure now there is home. It's a good book and full of solid information. W/AMI
