Following are books that we highly recommend for people who want to learn
more about schizophrenia, and related issues. For more information on
each book or video, simply click on the Title link. Note, It may take
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Dr. E. Fuller Torrey's book "Surviving Schizophrenia" is
an book we highly recommend for every family affected by schizophrenia.
Dr. Torrey is a leader in the schizophrenia research field, and has
a sister with schizophrenia, so in writting this book he has drawn
from extensive personal, clinical and research experience. For a good
news story on Dr. Torrey please see: "Schizophrenia's
Most Zealous Foe".
Diagnosis:
Schizophrenia by Rachel Miller (Editor), Susan Elizabeth Mason (Editor),
Publisher: Columbia University Press; (October 15, 2002) ISBN: 0231126255
Diagnosis: Schizophrenia recounts the journeys of thirty-five young
people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The book is designed
for those who wish to understand how it feels to have the disease,
including the patients themselves, family members, students and anyone
with an interest in how people sustain hope through a debilitating
illness. The book is unique because people who have schizophrenia
provided their personal stories and helped to design and edit much
of the book. A panel of experts - including psychiatrists, psychologists,
nurses, social workers and psychiatric rehabilitation workers - contributed
to and reviewed the manuscript to ensure that the content is accurate
and up to date.
This book helps you learn what the latest research says about why
so many do not believe they are ill, why they refuse treatment, and
how you can help. A good book for people to read if they have a family
member or friend who does not understand they have schizophrenia and
don't think they need help. It is written for families and therapists,
and also available in Spanish (see directly below)
Fifty Signs is much like a layperson’s DSM-IV manual;
an easy-to-read reference book which de-mystifies mental illness.
Each chapter begins with a short, first-person description of a “sign”
or symptom of mental illness, in alphabetical order. Examples range
from deceitfulness to delusions, panic to paranoia, self-mutilation
to psychosis, memory loss to mania. Read
the full review
Day-to-Day Coping Strategies for Families
After a family has learned the basics about schizophrenia in the "Introductory"
books above, we recommend the following books be read for ideas and
suggestions on how to deal with the many unique, day-to-day challenges
that you'll face when trying to help and live with a mentally ill person.
Adamec, herself the mother of a schizophrenic daughter, presents
a handbook for developing daily coping and caregiving skills. Not
intended to describe, diagnose, or treat any particular mental illness,
this book instead advises the caregiver on how to balance the needs
of the family as a whole and suggests strategies for dealing effectively
with common and serious symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, poor hygiene)
and situations (e.g., refusals to take medication, disagreements between
the caregiver and doctors or therapists).
Book Review, excerpted from Columbia College Today, Sept. 2003 issue:
Barondes shares his firsthand experiences working with patients suffering
from mental disorders and with the process of drug development. He
also traces the history of psychiatric drugs and explains the role
that accidents played in the discovery of their surprising therapeutic
properties… By considering the history of psychiatric drugs and
their current application, Barondes points out the limitations and
negative side effects of today's drugs and shows how new research,
especially in the field of genetics, will allow for a new generation
of superior drugs. Better Than Prozac accomplishes the tough task
of presenting a complex, scientific topic in an easy-to-read book
that is as historical in its scope as it is medical.
This book is a good guide to psychiatric drugs that has been popular
with patients and families since the first edition was published in
1990. It includes not only a summary of each drug used for all the
major psychiatric disorders, but also chapters on issues such as "Sex
and psychiatric drugs", "Psychiatric drugs and pregnancy",
etc.
Peter Weiden's book on anti-psychotic medications provides a good
overview of most of the medications that you'll likely run into when
you have a family member with schizophrenia. It is written for family
members so it is a book that anyone can read and get value from. The
key drawback of the book is generally perceived to be its uncritical
enthusiasm for the newer drugs and the implicit assumption that all
people with schizophrenia should be switched to newer medications.
As has become increasingly clear, the more recently-introduced drugs
also have many problems and side-effects.
Research in the area of preventing schizophrenia is still relatively
new and there are currently no "proven" techniques for lowering
the risk of development of schizophrenia. Research is, however, increasingly
suggesting that there are approaches to parenting as well as reductions
in environmental exposure to stress, toxins and drugs, etc. - that may significantly
lower the risk of a child (who is biologically predisposed) of developing schizophrenia later in life. See
schizophrenia
causes and prevention for more information on the broad range of
factors that have been linked to higher risk of schizophrenia.
Parenting
From the Inside Out, By Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Mary Hartzell,
M. Ed. - an excellent general book on parenting that we highly
recommend for all families. Drawing upon important new findings in
neurobiology and attachment research, they explain how interpersonal
relationships directly impact the development of the brain, and offer
parents a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding
of their own life stories that will help them raise compassionate
and resilient children."
What
am I feeling, By Dr. John Gottman.
A good book (but very short - only 48 pages and many photos) to teach
parents how to help children express and process emotions in a healthy
way. These approaches have proven in reasearch to help children lower
their social stress levels and encourage social skills. A good book
for parents who want to get a quick understanding of how to help children
in their emotional needs, for greater resilience and better mental
health in the long term.
How
to Raise An Emotionally Intelligent Child, By Dr. John Gottman
- a great book that goes into more depth on how to raise a child that
has good emotional processing skills and good social skills, thus
lowering social stress that he or she encounters (thus potentially
lowering the risk of schizophrenia and other mental health disorders).
(Note - if you purchase this book, you probably don't want to purchase
the "What am I feeling" book - because this book covers
what is in that book, and much more).
The
Magic Years, By Dr. Selma
H. Fraiberg - is an excellent book, written by a professor of
psychology at the University of San Francisco Medical School, that
covers how parents can moderate the amount of stress and anxiety that
a child goes through as they grow from birth through age six. A great
"general parenting" book that we think every parent of younger
children should read.
The
Optimistic Child: Proven Program to Safeguard Children from Depression
& Build Lifelong Resilience - Dr. Seligman - a well known research
psychologist has a mission here which is to teach parents and other
concerned adults how to instill in children a sense of optimism and
personal mastery. Seligman discounts prevalent theory that children
who are encouraged by others to feel good about themselves will do
well. Instead, he proposes that self-esteem comes from mastering challenges,
overcoming frustration and experiencing individual achievement. In
clear, concise prose peppered with anecdotes, dialogues, cartoons
and exercises, Seligman offers a concrete plan of action based on
techniques of self-evaluation and social interaction. He describes
the development of the Penn Depression Prevention Program, in which
school kids are taught ways to divest themselves of pessimistic approaches
and adopt optimistic ones, and adapts it to home use by parents. Seligman's
recent research profoundly demonstrates that children can be taught
techniques of optimistic thinking that, in effect, 'depression-proofs'
them and help's lower their social stress.
This is a true account of the horror the family went through, from
the whirlwind moment of dealing with the unexpected diagnoses of schizophrenia
of their son Chad who was in college.
The arrest and mistreatment, stigma and ignorance, withheld medical
treatment and refusal of bond to the extent of outright blackmail each
time the father attempted to file a complaint of his sons treatment
from the local law enforcement.
Paul Wegkamp's choice to include Nightmare in the title of his book
speaks volumes. A nightmare indeed! Sadly, one many of us know of all
to well and for those of us who have been lucky enough not to know,
this book is a good "wakeup call" of the injustice so many
suffering with mental illness endure.
In the appendix of the book many helpful resources are listed including
two pages on "Resources and Alternatives for Judges and Lawyers."
About the Author - L. Mark Russell, who has an older brother dual diagnosed
with a mild intellectual disability and mental illness, has concentrated
his law practice for over fifteen years on estate planning for families
who have a child with a disability, advising hundreds of families. He
is a nationally recognized conference speaker, regularly speaking to
national, state, and local disability organizations across the country,
including seminars for Public Television.
Arnold E. Grant is a partner in the Chicago office of McGuireWoods
LLP, a nationally recognized law firm with more than 700 attorneys.
Mr. Grant has been named a member of the leading lawyer network, which
is a peer selected listing of the top 5% of the lawyers in the state
of Illinois. Mr Grant is a former adjunct professor of law at Chicago-Kent
College of Law and a former chairman of the Corporate Tax Division of
the Chicago Bar Association.
Highland Road; is written by a respected New York Times reporter
who spent two years hanging around a group home for mentally ill,
on Long Island, NY. E.Fuller Torrey suggests that "Perhaps the
book's greatest contribution is to illustrate that individuals with
schizophrenia need more support, and people who believe in them. A
good group home, such as Winerip is describing, provides those things
and is an optimal living situation for many people with this diagnosis."
Childhood Schizophrenia (Children under the
age of 14 years)
Childhood
Schizophrenia by
Shiela Cantor - Hardcover: 193 pages
Publisher: The Guilford Press (June 3, 1988) ISBN: 0898627133
Review of Childhood Schizophrenia: "The concept that a child could
have a serious or chronic mental illness has always been difficult for
health and mental health professionals to accept or understand. With
autistic children, it is not possible to deny the seriousness of the
disorder. For other psychotic children, those who look normal and in
many ways act normal, it may be difficult to see the child as psychotic
or to accept the seriousness of the disorder. Cantor addresses these
children. She reviews the literature--a literature that reflects this
ambivalence--and then presents her clinical concepts and approaches
to treatment for childhood schizophrenia, based on a review of other
clinicians' work and on her clinical and research experiences. Perhaps
the greatest value of her book is that Cantor forces us to think clearly
about this serious and chronic childhood disorder." --Larry B.
Silver, MD
Book Title: "Children with Schizophrenia" Authors:
Noble, Devyn and Lenz,Sandy. Publishers: Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital,
Edmonton, Alberta, 1995. ISBN 0-9695567-3-X
(Recommended by Dan Webs: This is a 98 page spiral-bound book written
in a style that is easy to ready and very helpful for families and other
people interested in learning about schizophrenia in children and youth.
Useful to give a teacher.
Active schizophrenia.com member Brooke Katz writes about her first
early experiences (beginning in the third grade) with psychosis, and
how she finally was able to find the treatment she needed. A well-written,
touching account of what it's like to experience psychosis as a child.
Also a good insider's view for parents of children who struggle with
psychosis.
Brooke is a nursing major at Simmons College. This is her first book.
This book explains serious mental illness from a Biblical world view.
The primary focus of the book is schizophrenia and the difference
between mental illness and demonic possession. The author, Dr. Steven
Waterhouse's brother suffers from schizophrenia. Steven's research
for Christian answers and help arose from his understanding of what
families with mental illness go through, and that there are few Godly
resources available to help.
Many of the books below are by mental illness consumers
themselves. In their own words, they describe their experiences with illness,
and their perspectives on recovery and a hopeful future.
Pamela Wagner has been an active member on schizophrenia.com for many years; she
currently maintains a popular weblog (Wagblog),
and her poetry and selected writings are posted on our success
stories page. Her new book has received excellent reviews from
both Publisher's Weekly and Booklist - see excerpts below:
Publisher's Weekly Starred Review. "This harrowing but
arresting memoir -- written in alternating voices by identical twins,
now in their 50s -- reveals how devastating schizophrenia is to both
the victim and those who love her...When the twins were young, Pamela
always outshone Carolyn. But in junior high, Pamela was beset by fears
and began a lifelong pattern of cutting and burning herself. After
the two entered Brown University, Pamela's decline into paranoia accelerated
until she attempted suicide. During the ensuing years of Pamela's
frequent breakdowns and hospitalizations, Carolyn became a psychiatrist,
married and had two children...Remarkably descriptive, Pamela's account
details how it feels to hear voices and to suspect evil in everyone.
Though she struggles with her medications, Pamela remains a committed
poet and is now reconciled with her father and close to her twin."
Description (by the author): Out of It: An Autobiography on the
Experience of Schizophrenia offers a thorough understanding of
the true nature of what it is like to have schizophrenia...it guides
us through one man’s mental journey through seven months of
schizophrenia.
Julie Greene seemed like a bright,
happy child to her parents and teachers, but into adulthood, she entered
into a horrific, long-term battle with serious mental illness. During
this time, she struggled within the walls illness imposed on her,
and believed she would never recover.But after eighteen years of suffering,
Greene emerged whole, in 1998 at the age of forty. "Here," she says,
"life began."
With this book, Greene hopes to illustrate
to those who are unfamiliar with mental illness what really happens
in the mini-world of madness. For those who’ve had experiences
with mental illness, or has a family member who is ill, Greene hopes
to provide comfort and hope – and laughter
Recovered,
Not Cured by Richard McLean. Publisher: Allen & Unwin. Currently
available for ordering from the publisher in Australia - will be available
in the US, Canada, Japan in May 2005.
Author Richard McLean shares his own journey with schizophrenia,
and these days the graphic artist/illustrator for the Australian newspaper
The Age calls himself "recovered, not cured." In
the book's introduction, he says "I hope that this book will
help to demystify [mental illness], so that the 10 per cent of people
directly or indirectly affected will receive the empathy and care
they need.
The book has been excellently received by reviewers in Australia.
It is in the Highly Commended 2003: Human Rights Award Arts Non-fiction
category, and is the winner of the SANE Book of the Year award for
2004.
Learn more about the author and see some of his artwork at his personal
website, http://www.richiemclean.com.
Active schizophrenia.com member Brooke Katz writes about her first
early experiences with psychosis, and how she finally was able to
find the treatment she needed. A well-written, touching account of
what it's like to experience psychosis as a child.
Brooke is a nursing major at Simmons College. This is her first book.
Carol North's autobiographical story of her triumph over schizophrenia
includes a good description of the experience of auditory hallucinations
and the personal battles against the symptoms of the disease, but
her case is also atypical in many ways (she was one of the few patients
who responded dramatically to an experimental treatment that rarely
worked for other people with schizophrenia).
The well known "A beautiful mind" has received many good
reviews and has been a best seller, however its a long book about
a unique situation and not generally relevant for families of people
with schizophrenia (we recommend the movie over the book).
Books for Wives and Husbands People
with Schizophrenia
A highly recommended book! This is an excellent book for any
person married to a person who has schizophrenia (or other serious
brain disorder) and who has children. People who have schizophrenia
typically have many emotional and communication challenges (i.e. lack
of emotion or flat emotion, or innappropriate emotions or emotional
responses, lack of empathy, unpredictability, etc.) and therefore
the other parent must compensate for these deficits or the child will
suffer from many psychiatric problems later in life. This book - based
on the latest research into child development, psychology and brain
development - is an excellent resources for spouses of the mentally
ill who have children, as well as for adult children of the mentally
ill. This is an important book on a very important issue for families
challenged by schizophrenia (and a good read for any parent or future
parent, really).
Books for Brothers and Sisters,
and Sons and Daughters of People with Schizophrenia
"My mother didn't try to stab my father until I was six," actor and author Alan Alda writes at the beginning of his autobiography. The child of a well-known actor, Alda (born Alphonso D'Abruzzo) spent his early years on the road with a burlesque troupe. The time spent on the stage wings, watching his father perform, made a profound impact on the youngster, igniting a desire to entertain others that has stayed with him his entire life. Just as profound was his mother's losing battle with mental illness; Alda spent much of his adult life attempting to reconcile his resentment of her outbursts and unmanageable behavior coupled with her unbridled enthusiasm for life and encouragement.
USA Today: You’re pretty forthcoming in your new autobiography. What was the hardest part to write?
Alan Alda: I think (it was) really coming to terms with my mother -– you know, because my mother was psychotic -– and having a mother who is schizophrenic and paranoid is tough. You adjust to it in various ways, and I think one of the ways I adjusted to it was to step back from it a little bit.
I realized as I was writing about her (that) even though I had come to terms with her in many ways in my head, I had kept myself from knowing much about schizophrenia, because it was kind of painful for me. So while I was writing the book, I called up scientists I had interviewed on my science program, Scientific American Frontiers, and I started learning more about it.
I got a much greater understanding of what she went through – especially the idea that her hallucinations took place in the same part of her brain that all of our nightmares take place. I have experienced what she went through, except I could wake up from it, and she never could.
The Skipping Stone is a highly-recommended book that is a summary
of 100 interviews done with family members of individuals with a serious
mental illness documenting the effect on the siblings, spouses, grandparents,
and children of affected individuals.
Highly recommended - Victoria Secunda's book is on the impact of schizophrenia on siblings,
and can help parents and family members understand the effect of one
person's mental illness on children and others in the family.
This is an excellent book for any child of a person who has schizophrenia, and potentially for siblings of people with schizophrenia or other major brain disorder. (bipolar disorder, etc.). People
who have schizophrenia typically have many emotional and communication
issues (i.e. lack of emotion or flat emotion, or innappropriate emotions
or emotional responses, lack of empathy, unpredictability, etc.) that
can seriously impact the develoment of the child if the other parent doesn't
compensate for these behaviors and emotions. This book - based on
the latest research into child development, psychology and brain development
- is an excellent resources for adult children of the mentally ill
- to understand the impact that having a mentally ill parent has had
on them, and how the problems would likely cause problems for the
next generation of children if the issues are not addressed. This
is an important book on a very important issue for families challenged
by schizophrenia (and a good read for any parent or future parent,
really).
Angelhead:
My Brother's Descent Into Madness By Greg Bottoms, Paperback: 207
pages ; Publisher: Three Rivers Press (CA); 1 Pbk ed edition (September
4, 2001) , ASIN: 0609807145,
What is it like to watch your older brother quickly progress from
someone you know to someone completely foreign to you? And what must
it be like to live through the guilt and anguish that comes with this?
These questions are answered in "Angelhead," Greg Bottoms'
brutal and often poetic account of his brother Michael's battle with
schizophrenia. For a full review of "Angelhead" see the
CNN Review: CNN
Review: 'Angelhead' a brutal, but often poetic, look at battle with
mental illness.
As a child, Holman was held captive by her schizophrenic mother in
a 700-square-foot cabin with cement floors and no ceilings in rural
Virginia; her book tells the story. She received a Rosalynn Carter
Mental Health Journalism Fellowship for 2003-2004. Publisher: Simon
& Schuster; (March 6, 2003), ISBN: 0743222857 For More information
on the book and author see: http://www.rescuingpattyhearst.com/
Children's Books on Mental Illness/Schizophrenia
The following books are books written for younger audiences (Children
between ages of approximately 7 to 13 years old) who are trying to understand
mental illness in their family.
Helicopter Man - by Elizabeth Fensham. This is a new Children's book about a homeless young boy and his father who has schizophrenia. It sounds like it might be a valuable book to help educate children about schizophrenia. The publisher suggests that it is targeted at a reading level of Ages 9 to 12 years. (we have not reviewed this book). Learn more about the book.
Sometimes
My Mommy Gets Angry by Bebe Moore Campbell. Publisher: Putnam Publishing
Group; (September 1, 2003). ISBN: 0399239723.
Book Review, excerpted from Children's Literature:
Our appealing young narrator struggles to understand her mother's
unpredictable behavior. Sometimes she is smiling so Annie goes happily
off to school with her friends. But then Annie may come home to find
an angry face on a shouting, frightening mother. Fortunately she has
a grandmother who helps her cope. From her and from her friends Annie
can "find sunshine" in her mind. Without being didactic,
the story presents the all-too-common mentally ill parent in a way
to help a child and her friends understand. Lewis [illustrator] visualizes
this emotional drama with naturalistic watercolor portraits of the
players in settings that begin bright and sunny but emphasize shadows
when Mommy is upset…An introductory "Author's Note"
gives further details on mental illness and coping strategies. Ages
5 to 9
--Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
Catch a Falling
Star, the first book in the "Iris the Dragon" series for
children with brain disorders. Available from the publisher's website
(Iris the Dragon).
About the book (from publisher's website):
Catch a Falling Star is a children’s illustrated book that attempts
to bring the topic of mental illness to the general public through
the non-threatening genre of the fairy tale...[it]has been endorsed
by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) and other renowned
doctors in the field such as Simon Davison, Chief of Psychiatry at
the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and Dr. Peter
S. Jensen, Director for the Center for the Advancement of Children’s
Mental Health.
Edward
the Crazy Man written and illustrated by Marie Day. Available from
the publisher's website (Annick Press).
About the book (from publisher's website):
Edward the “Crazy Man” is a touching, funny, and humane
tale of one boy’s efforts to help one man and change perceptions
about homelessness and Bipolar Disorder...Says the Canadian Mental
Health Association, "Parents and educators alike will be impressed
by a new children's book that destigmatizes mental illness."
Every morning, Kara tries to look like a "real" California
sixth grader. With teeth brushed and clothes nearly matched, she just
might pull it off--as long as Mr. Benito doesn't notice her shattering
grades. But homework is the least of Kara's worries. For months, she's
been juggling dangerous secrets. Her father is gone and her mother
is drowning in mental illness. Everything depends on Kara. Warner
expertly captures the crippling side effects of mental illness in
this brave, troubling novel that offers no simple solutions. Some
children will see only a riveting, well-crafted story; others will
find a glimmer of hope and the inspiration to reach out for help.
For grades 5-8.
(The following two books are out of print, but still available as used
books frequently - and if you know of any newer books like these, please
let us know). Other sources for these books may be the local library.
Only
My Mouth Is Smiling by Jocelyn Riley, Publisher: William Morrow;
(March 1982) ASIN: 0688010873
More Advanced Books on Schizophrenia
These books cover the science, biology and genetics of schizophrenia.
"Nature via Nurture", while not specifically a book about
schizophrenia - has an entire chapter (Chapter 4 - The Madness of Causes)
on the genetics and environmental influences of schizophrenia. Overall,
the book is a well-written and very enjoyable book about the interplay
of genes and environment in human development. Dr. Nancy Andreason's
and Dr. Irv Gottesman's books are good in-depth college-level books
covering schizophrenia by two of the leading researchers that are focused
on schizophrenia.
Psychiatric
Genetics and Genomics by Peter McGuffin (Editor), Michael J Owen
(Editor), Irving I Gottesman (Editor), Publisher: Oxford University
Press; (December 2, 2002), ISBN: 0192631489
"Excellent introductions to neuroscience, brain imaging,
and genetics. Outstanding overviews of what is known about the neuroscience
and genetics of the major psychiatric disorders of schizophrenia,
mood disorders, dementia, and anxiety disorders. The descriptions
of the history and neuroscience of medication are especially good."--Nature
The
Broken Brain by Nancy C. Andreasen (Author), Publisher: Perennial;
Reprint edition (November 1985) ISBN: 0060912723 (Note: this is an old
book -- over 15 years old -- and should only be referenced if the more
recent books listed above are not available).
Professional Books on Schizophrenia and Psychiatric
Drugs
Psychiatric
Genetics and Genomics by Peter McGuffin (Editor), Michael J Owen
(Editor), Irving I Gottesman (Editor), Publisher: Oxford University
Press; (December 2, 2002), ISBN: 0192631489
Handbook
of Psychiatric Drugs: 2005 Edition
by Lawrence J., Md Albers, Lawrence J. Albers, Christopher Reist, Rhoda
K Hahn, Rhoda K. Hahn, Paperback: 109 pages ; Dimensions (in inches):
0.25 x 6.75 x 4.00, Publisher: Current Clinical Strategies; Revised
and Updated edition (Dec 2004), ISBN: 1929622619
Developed by experts on schizophrenia and exhaustively reviewed by
APA members, the American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline
for the Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia provides therapists
with a set of patient care strategies that will aid their clinical
decision making. Note: Practice guideline publications are usually
available on-line for free at: http://www.psych.org/psych_pract/treatg/pg/prac_guide.cfm
Schizophrenia
by Steven R. Hirsch (Editor), Daniel R. Weinberger (Editor), Penny R.
Mitchell, Publisher: Blackwell Publishers; 2nd Revision edition (March
2003) ISBN: 0632063882
Insight
and Psychosis by Xavier F. Amador (Editor), Anthony S. David (Editor),
David Amador, Publisher: Oxford University Press; (January 1998) ISBN:
0195084977
Best Care in Early Psychosis Intervention: Global Perspectives
Ehmann, T., MacEwan, G.W. & Honer, W. (Eds.). (2004). London: Taylor and Francis.
ISBN: 1841844039
This book presents the “Early Psychosis Care Manual” – a comprehensive review of best
practices. The book seeks to assist widespread implementation by presenting views on best
practices from around the world
Susan Sheehan's 1982 book on one person's experience with schizophrenia
(schizoaffective subtype) is a very good description of the difficulties
encountered with the disease, the challenges facing the family, and
the mediocre medical care that families frequently encounter. Dr.
E. Fuller Torrey has described it as "searingly accurate and
manadatory reading for anyone who wants to understand the tragedy
of this disease."
In "Tell Me I'm Here" Australian documentary filmmaker
Deveson offers a brave and frank account of her son Jonathan's seven-year
battle with schizophrenia exacerbated by drug abuse, which ended with
his death from a drug overdose at age 24 in 1986.
The
Unhinging of Wings by Margo Button, Publisher: Oolichan Books; (May
1996) ISBN: 0889821623
"The Unhinging of Wings" is a collection of 66 poems written
by Margo Button about her son, afflicted by schizophrenia, who committed
suicide at age 27.
The book "The Four of Us..." is an extraordinary account
of how severe mental illness can devestate an entire family. Described
by reviewers as "beautifully written, brutally honest, and profoundly
depressing."
Schizophrenia in Society - Homelessness,
poverty and other problems
Books that cover schizophrenia and poverty and homelessness:
Diagnosis:
Schizophrenia by Rachel Miller (Editor), Susan Elizabeth Mason (Editor),
Publisher: Columbia University Press; (October 15, 2002) ISBN: 0231126255
The
Broken Brain by Nancy C. Andreasen (Author), Publisher: Perennial;
Reprint edition (November 1985) ISBN: 0060912723 (Note: this is an old
book -- over 15 years old -- and should only be referenced if the more
recent books listed above are not available).
Advertisement
Copyright 1996-2004. Schizophrenia.com. All Rights Reserved.
Early
Schizophrenia Screening Test 
by E. Fuller Torrey (Author), Publisher: Quill; 5th edition
(April 1, 2006) ISBN: 0060842598