Schizophrenia and related disorders

Abstract

Psychotic disorders are common and important psychiatric conditions, and patients suffering from psychosis can be challenging to assess and manage. In this new monograph, experts in schizophrenia and related psychoses review the current state of science in this area, and provide a practical and readable overview of the how to diagnose and treat individuals presenting with these disorders. This pocket-sized text features call-out boxes, case descriptions, practical tips, and general guidelines that should be ideal for medical students, residents, young mental health professionals, and trainees in other fields. Beginning with a history of psychosis, the authors proceed to explore the phenomenology of symptoms and experiences and how these can be used in clinical assessment. Diagnostic criteria are reviewed, along with common conditions in the differential diagnosis. Subsequent chapters tackle epidemiology, course and prognosis, and the neurobiology of psychotic disorders. The book concludes with chapters on treatment, both somatic and psychosocial, including discussion of novel interventional approaches and service delivery. The authors of this text are a mix of clinician-educators and scientific investigators, all with experience teaching trainees, this pocket-sized book has been developed to help young professionals easily gain a basic understanding of the complexities and challenges of psychotic disorders. Self-assessment questions, resources, and references will assist, but what really sets this book apart is the accessibility and concision of the text, ideal for individuals learning about or reviewing psychosis.