If Your Adolescent Has Schizophrenia: An Essential Resource for Parents (Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands' Adolescent Mental Health Initiative) - Softcover

"Gur and Johnson present a solid overview of schizophrenia in this current, accessible volumethis book will empower parents to seek out the proper professionals, therapies, and medications to help their teen manage and treat the disease. In particular, "How Parents Can Help" sections in each chapter outline such topics as how parents can proactively seek hospital admission for their child, maintain a proper medication schedule and become involved in the politics of mental health."--Publishers Weekly "Truth rings out from every page of this incredible book that can be devoured in one sitting. It is exactly what parents need to know, delivered with precisely the right measure of science and personal story. Our son was diagnosed with schizophrenia six years ago at age 21. How I wish we could have had this book 12 years ago when the bewildering nightmare began. All my own strong opinions about the mental health "system" are here. I found myself constantly exclaiming, 'Yes!'"--Minnesota State Representative Mindy Greiling, Chair of the National Board of Director's Policy Subcommittee on Children, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "Unique and invaluableconcise, accurate, informative, and instructive. This is the first book I have seen that speaks directly and clearly to the primary questions and problems that overwhelm parents trying to cope with the tragedy of schizophrenia in their family. From making sense out of diagnostic uncertainty, to explaining about genes and the brain, to no-nonsense advice about treatment and rehabilitation, this book fills a gap that has long been needed." --Daniel R. Weinberger, M.D., National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) "This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help."--Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help."--Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "Whether this is your first venture into learning about the realm of adolescent schizophrenia, or your latest addition to a growing library, this book will be of invaluable assistance. With the perfect blend of scientific expertise and down to earth explanations, Drs. Gur and Johnson provide a very useful guide for all people affected by adolescents with schizophrenia and for their relatives." --Ming T. Tsuang, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego "Parents must cope with illness in their child, and the challenge could hardly be greater than when the diagnosis is schizophrenia. This book provides expert knowledge, perspective, and guidance in a practical, reader-friendly format. The information will support each step in the recovery journey."--William T. Carpenter Jr., M.D., Director, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center "Gur and Johnson present a solid overview of schizophrenia in this current, accessible volumethis book will empower parents to seek out the proper professionals, therapies, and medications to help their teen manage and treat the disease. In particular, "How Parents Can Help" sections in each chapter outline such topics as how parents can proactively seek hospital admission for their child, maintain a proper medication schedule and become involved in the politics of mental health."--Publishers Weekly "Truth rings out from every page of this incredible book that can be devoured in one sitting. It is exactly what parents need to know, delivered with precisely the right measure of science and personal story. Our son was diagnosed with schizophrenia six years ago at age 21. How I wish we could have had this book 12 years ago when the bewildering nightmare began. All my own strong opinions about the mental health "system" are here. I found myself constantly exclaiming, 'Yes!'"--Minnesota State Representative Mindy Greiling, Chair of the National Board of Director's Policy Subcommittee on Children, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "Unique and invaluableconcise, accurate, informative, and instructive. This is the first book I have seen that speaks directly and clearly to the primary questions and problems that overwhelm parents trying to cope with the tragedy of schizophrenia in their family. From making sense out of diagnostic uncertainty, to explaining about genes and the brain, to no-nonsense advice about treatment and rehabilitation, this book fills a gap that has long been needed." --Daniel R. Weinberger, M.D., National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) "This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help."--Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help."--Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "Whether this is your first venture into learning about the realm of adolescent schizophrenia, or your latest addition to a growing library, this book will be of invaluable assistance. With the perfect blend of scientific expertise and down to earth explanations, Drs. Gur and Johnson provide a very useful guide for all people affected by adolescents with schizophrenia and for their relatives." --Ming T. Tsuang, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego "Parents must cope with illness in their child, and the challenge could hardly be greater than when the diagnosis is schizophrenia. This book provides expert knowledge, perspective, and guidance in a practical, reader-friendly format. The information will support each step in the recovery journey."--William T. Carpenter Jr., M.D., Director, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center "Gur and Johnson present a solid overview of schizophrenia in this current, accessible volumethis book will empower parents to seek out the proper professionals, therapies, and medications to help their teen manage and treat the disease. In particular, "How Parents Can Help" sections in each chapter outline such topics as how parents can proactively seek hospital admission for their child, maintain a proper medication schedule and become involved in the politics of mental health."--Publishers Weekly "Truth rings out from every page of this incredible book that can be devoured in one sitting. It is exactly what parents need to know, delivered with precisely the right measure of science and personal story. Our son was diagnosed with schizophrenia six years ago at age 21. How I wish we could have had this book 12 years ago when the bewildering nightmare began. All my own strong opinions about the mental health "system" are here. I found myself constantly exclaiming, 'Yes!'"--Minnesota State Representative Mindy Greiling, Chair of the National Board of Director's Policy Subcommittee on Children, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "Unique and invaluableconcise, accurate, informative, and instructive. This is the first book I have seen that speaks directly and clearly to the primary questions and problems that overwhelm parents trying to cope with the tragedy of schizophrenia in their family. From making sense out of diagnostic uncertainty, to explaining about genes and the brain, to no-nonsense advice about treatment and rehabilitation, this book fills a gap that has long been needed." --Daniel R. Weinberger, M.D., National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) "Thisbook is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help."--Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help."--Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "Whether this is your first venture into learning about the realm of adolescent schizophrenia, or your latest addition to a growing library, this book will be of invaluable assistance. With the perfect blend of scientific expertise and down to earth explanations, Drs. Gur and Johnson provide a very useful guide for all people affected by adolescents with schizophrenia and for their relatives." --Ming T. Tsuang, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego "Parents must cope with illness in their child, and the challenge could hardly be greater than when the diagnosis is schizophrenia. This book provides expert knowledge, perspective, and guidance in a practical, reader-friendly format. The information will support each stepin the recovery journey."--William T. Carpenter Jr., M.D., Director, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center "Gur and Johnson present a solid overview of schizophrenia in this current, accessible volumethis book will empower parents to seek out the proper professionals, therapies, and medications to help their teen manage and treat the disease. In particular, "How Parents Can Help" sections in each chapter outline such topics as how parents can proactively seek hospital admission for their child, maintain a proper medication schedule and become involved in the politics of mental health."--Publishers Weekly "Truth rings out from every page of this incredible book that can be devoured in one sitting. It is exactly what parents need to know, delivered with precisely the right measure of science and personal story. Our son was diagnosed with schizophrenia six years ago at age 21. How I wish we could have had this book 12 years ago when the bewildering nightmare began. All my own strong opinions about the mental health "system" are here. I found myself constantly exclaiming, 'Yes!'"--Minnesota State Representative Mindy Greiling, Chair of the National Board of Director's Policy Subcommittee on Children, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "Unique and invaluableconcise, accurate, informative, and instructive. This is the first book I have seen that speaks directly and clearly to the primary questions and problems that overwhelm parents trying to cope with the tragedy of schizophrenia in their family. From making sense out of diagnostic uncertainty, to explaining about genes and the brain, to no-nonsense advice about treatment and rehabilitation, this book fills a gap that has long been needed." --Daniel R. Weinberger, M.D., National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) "This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help."--Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia need much support and guidance. This book gives parents the tools to help."--Dr. Suzanne Vogel-Scibilia, National President, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "Whether this is your first venture into learning about the realm of adolescent schizophrenia, or your latest addition to a growing library, this book will be of invaluable assistance. With the perfect blend of scientific expertise and down to earth explanations, Drs. Gur and Johnson provide a very useful guide for all people affected by adolescents with schizophrenia and for their relatives." --Ming T. Tsuang, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego "Parents must cope with illness in their child, and the challenge could hardly be greater than when the diagnosis is schizophrenia. This book provides expert knowledge, perspective, and guidance in a practical, reader-friendly format. The information will support each step in the recovery journey."--William T. Carpenter Jr., M.D., Director, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center "Gur and Johnson present a solid overview of schizophrenia in this current, accessible volumethis book will empower parents to seek out the proper professionals, therapies, and medications to help their teen manage and treat the disease. In particular, "How Parents Can Help" sections in each chapter outline such topics as how parents can proactively seek hospital admission for their child, maintain a proper medication schedule and become involved in the politics of mental health."--Publishers Weekly "Truth rings out from every page of this incredible book that can be devoured in one sitting. It is exactly what parents need to know, delivered with precisely the right measure of science and personal story. Our son was diagnosed with schizophrenia six years ago at age 21. How I wish we could have had this book 12 years ago when the bewildering nightmare began. All my own strong opinions about the mental health "system" are here. I found myself constantly exclaiming, 'Yes!'"--Minnesota State Representative Mindy Greiling, Chair of the National Board of Director's Policy Subcommittee on Children, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "Unique and invaluableconcise, accurate, informative, and instructive. This is the first book I have seen that speaks directly and clearly to the primary questions and problems that overwhelm parents trying to cope with the tragedy of schizophrenia in their family. From making sense out of diagnostic uncertainty, to explaining about genes and the brain, to no-nonsense advice about treatment and rehabilitation, this book fills a gap that has long been needed." --Daniel R. Weinberger, M.D., National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH) "This book is a very informative addition to any parent's library. It tells caretakers what they need to know in a straightforward and practical manner. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and difficult mental illnesses for anyone to grapple with. Adolescents with new-onset schizophrenia...

An in-depth look at life with an adolescent with schizophrenia, this book is designed for parents of teens who have recently been diagnosed with or who are at risk of developing such a disorder. It is also for other adults, such as teachers, athletic coaches and guidance counsellors, who are regularly in contact with at-risk adolescents. The book combines scientific expertise - including information about available treatments and up-to-date research findings on schizophrenia - with the practical wisdom of parents who have raised teenagers with this illness.
In clear and accessible language, Dr. Raquel E. Gur and Ann Braden Johnson explain in detail what is known about the origins, symptoms and potential treatments of schizophrenia. The book includes tips on how to go about getting a diagnosis, what a diagnosis means, when and where to get treatment, and how to navigate the healthcare system. There will also be advice on how to handle everyday life - both at home and at school - once the teen is diagnosed. Pointers on red flags to look out for and about the dangers of doing nothing are included as well to help parents and other adults deal effectively with adolescent schizophrenia, so that their children can enjoy the fullest and most productive life possible.