Managing Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia


Book Description

Schizophrenia is one of the most severe psychiatric disorders, carrying with it significant stigma and a number of debilitating symptoms. While material on its "positive" symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, is readily available, its "negative" symptoms, which present heterogeneously as deficits across a variety of domains, are not nearly so well-documented and often go undiagnosed with no effective treatment. Given the poor functioning and outcomes which occur as a result of these symptoms, it is imperative they receive greater focus. Part of the Oxford Psychiatry Library (OPL) series, this concise pocketbook provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the definition, evaluation, and treatment of negative symptoms. Written by experts in the field, with key points at the beginning of each chapter for quick reference, this is an invaluable resource for any mental health care professional working with individuals affected by schizophrenia.




Negative Versus Positive Schizophrenia


Book Description

The positive versus negative distinction of schizophrenic disorders has pro moted ongoing research. Phenomenology, psychopathology, biology, genet ics, pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment, psychosocial and longitudinal research: all have found a new focus of interest. This volume attempts to provide an unbiased picture of the status of American and Eu ropean knowledge regarding the positive/negative distinction. Researchers from North America and Europe describe the relation of modern concepts of positive and negative symptomatology to the original models of Rey nolds and Jackson. Integrating phenomenological, genetic, and biological factors, the authors depict current methods of assessing positive and nega tive symptomatology, differentiating between primary and secondary symp tomatology, and using pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment. The stability of positive and negative symptoms over time and evidence for the occurrence of separate positive and negative episodes over a long-term course of schizophrenia are extensively discussed in terms of their implica tions on the positive/negative construct. The relevance of the positive/nega tive dichotomy to child and adolescent schizophrenia is also debated. The main aim of this book is not to advocate a single concept and present only arguments supporting it, but to discuss important controversies. Prob lems concerning a concept cannot be solved by ignoring them. However, unanswered questions may be resolved through discussion, debate, and con structive compromise.




Antipsychotic Drugs and Their Side-Effects


Book Description

In line with other volumes in the Neuroscience Perspectives Series, this volume covers the background, pharmacology, molecular biology, and biochemistry of antipsychotic drugs, together with an overview assessment of the therapeutic considerations. Over the past 40 years, the effectiveness of conventional neuroleptic agents for psychotic illness has been offset by a wide range of adverse side-effects, including motor side-effects like parkinsonism. Studies show that lowering doses may still produce the antipsychotic effect while lessening the risk of side-effects. As all available antispychotic drugs are able to block dopamine, specifically D2 receptors, doses below the threshold level for producing acute motor disorder can still be therapeutically effective. With the identification and characterization of multiple dopamine receptors, the possibility of more selective drugs with better side-effect potential has arisen. Other novel antipsychotic agents include D1 receptor blockers, partial dopamine agonists and non-dopamine drugs such as 5-HT receptor blockers, sigma receptor antagonists and NMDA receptor agonists. This volume reviews both the basic science of the conventional and atypical neuroleptics and their present and potential therapeutic use.




The Epidemiology of Schizophrenia


Book Description

An international team of leading researchers and clinicians provides the first comprehensive, epidemiological overview of this multi-faceted and still-perplexing disorder. Controversial issues such as the validity of discrete or dimensional classifications of schizophrenia and the continuum between psychosis and 'normality' are explored in depth. Separate chapters are devoted to topics of particular relevance to schizophrenia such as suicide, violence and substance abuse. Finally, new prospects for treatment and prevention are considered.




Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Schizophrenia


Book Description

This book summarizes scientific advances in our understanding of the interrelationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and schizophrenia and reflects on the implications for future research directions. In addition, guidelines are provided on practical assessment, diagnosis and treatment interventions, covering both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. The book acknowledges the need for a perspective that recognizes heterogeneous subgroups and diverse neurobiological explanations; accordingly, multidimensional research-based conceptual frameworks are provided that incorporate recent epidemiological, neurocognitive, neurogenetic and pharmacodynamic findings. Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Schizophrenia has been written by an international team of experts who offer insights gained through their extensive experience. It will be an invaluable guide to this frequent and clinically important comorbidity and will be particularly useful for mental health practitioners.




Novel Antipsychotic Drugs


Book Description




A Clinical Introduction to Psychosis


Book Description

This practical guide outlines the latest advances in understanding and treating psychotic symptoms and disorders, articulating step-by-step the clinical skills and knowledge required to effectively treat this patient population. A Clinical Introduction to Psychosis takes an evidence-based approach that encourages a wider perspective on clinical practice, with chapters covering stigma and bias, cultural factors, the importance of social functioning, physical health, sleep, and more. A broad array of treatment modalities are discussed, including cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive remediation, psychosocial interventions, trauma-informed therapies, and recovery-oriented practice. The book also provides a concise overview of the latest advances regarding cognitive profiles in people with psychotic disorders, the developmental progression of cognitive abilities, and the clinical relevance of cognitive dysfunction. The book additionally familiarizes readers with issues and controversies surrounding diagnostic classification, transdiagnostic expression, and dimensional assessment of symptoms in psychosis. - Provides treatment and assessment methods for psychotic symptoms and disorders - Looks at how psychosis develops and the impact of stigma on clinicians and clients - Studies the links between trauma, PTSD, and psychosis, as well as sleep and psychosis - Covers digital technologies for treating and assessing psychosis - Outlines strategies for treating visual and auditory hallucinations - Examines how to incorporate consumer and clinician perspectives in clinical practice




Camberwell Assessment of Need: Forensic Version


Book Description

The Camberwell Assessment of Need Forensic Version (CANFOR) is a tool for assessing the needs of people with mental health problems who are in contact with forensic services. It is based on the CAN, a widely used needs assessment for people with severe mental health problems. Individual needs are assessed in 25 areas of life, spanning health, social, clinical and functional domains. Comprehensive versions are available for research (CANFOR-R) and clinical use (CANFOR-C), as well as a short summary version (CANFOR-S) suitable for both research and clinical use. CANFOR was rigorously developed by a multidisciplinary team at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and is suitable for use in all forensic mental health and prison settings. This second edition provides an update of the CANFOR tools and their application in clinical and research settings. The assessment forms are freely available to download from the CAN website (researchintorecovery.com/can) and cambridge.org.




Positive and Negative Syndromes in Schizophrenia


Book Description

First published in 1991. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.