General Info - Cause, Diagnosis and Treatment:

Schizophrenia Introduction and Overview - Educational Video
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File Type: Quicktime video. Download player here
File Source: Schizophrenia Society of Canada
File Date: 2004

A 20 minute video covering the basics of schizophrenia - ideal for any age (high school age and older)

The Causes of Schizophrenia Play audio - click here
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File source: National Public Radio.
File Date: July 2000

Some scientists are studying whether giving anti-psychotic drugs to teenagers deemed at risk for developing schizophrenia could actually prevent the disease--a controversial approach because it's so tough to determine who's at risk. In this hour, we'll discuss the causes of schizophrenia, including the role of genetics and a theory that viruses trigger the illness.

Guests: Robert Conley, M.D. Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland
Ann Pulver Chief, Epimediology-Genetics Program in Psychiatry Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland
Robert Yolken, M.D. Director, Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory Ted and Vada Stanley Professor of Developmental Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland.

Note: When you click on the link, a new window will open up on your web browser. To listen to the Audio file, click on the link that says "Morning Edition Radio."

Dr. Xavier Amador

Dr. Amador gives a presentation on his book "I Am Not Sick! I Don't Need Help!" This highly-recommended book (used by many schizophrenia.com members) explains why the mentally ill can't understand that they're sick, and how family members can help them accept treatment.

Strategies for Addressing Denial and Lack of Insight in Mental Illness - Dr. Xavier Amador Video

 

Recent Brain Imaging of Schizophrenia Brain Damage
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File Type: Windows media
File Source: Discovery Channel (Canada)
File Date: Nov 2001

UCLA brain researchers using a powerful new technique have created the first images showing the devastating impact of schizophrenia on the brain. The findings, published in the Sept. 25, 2001 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, show how a dynamic wave of tissue loss engulfs the brains of schizophrenic patients in their teen-age years.

The findings may have key diagnostic implications. Aided by a better understanding of how psychosis develops, researchers can detect aberrant loss early and treat patients as early as possible. Future medications might fight the rapid loss of brain tissue, and their effectiveness could be assessed using the imaging technique.

Schizophrenia - Second Chances Play audio - click here
File Type: Real Media. Download player here
File Source: The Infinite Mind
File Date: April 11, 2001

This program covers the personal experiences of schizophrenia, how to help people who don't understand they have schizophrenia, and how dramatic advances in schizophrenia research are providing new hope for people suffering from the disease. "The Infinite Mind" explores recent genetic discoveries, as well as new developments in medical and therapeutic treatment.

Guests include Dr. Linda Brzustowicz, Associate Professor of Genetics at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey;
Edith Shuttleworth, member of Fountain House;
Dr. Nancy Andreasen, the Andrew H. Woods Chair of Psychiatry at The University of Iowa College of Medicine;
Dr. Herbert Meltzer, Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Pharmacology at Vanderbilt Medical Center; and
Dr. Xavier Amador, the Director of Psychology at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. Commentary by John Hockenberry.

Diagnosis: Schizophrenia Play audio - click here
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File Source: Information Advantage public radio program
File Date: Nov 14, 2002

Interview with author Rachel Miller, author of "Diagnosis: Schizophrenia." This easy-to-read book for patients and their families covers topics such as: medication, coping skills, social services, clinical research, and more. Includes personal narratives from schizophrenia patients.

For more information on ordering the book "Diagnosis: Schizophrenia" please see our Recommended Books section.

Don't Call Me Nuts, Coping with the Stigma of Mental Illness Go to Video - click here
File Type: Quicktime. Download player here
File Source: University of Chicago, Psychiatry Department
File Date: October 8th , 2001

An interview and presentation by the well-known author of the book on stigma (written for people who have a brain disorder) on ways to cope with public stigma or misunderstandings of brain disorders. Note that you can view the slide presentation independently of the video - by clicking on this link "Don't call me nuts - Presentation". The book is titled: Don't Call Me Nuts : Coping with the Stigma of Mental Illness

Schizophrenia: Biology and Stigma Play audio - click here
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File Source: Voices in the Family public radio
File Date: Feb 19, 2001

Show discusses the biology and the stigma of schizophrenia - once you get through the short (5-mn or so) unrelated NPR news segment at the very beginning. First twenty minutes discusses stigma, the rest of the program concentrates on the biology of the disease, treatments, and research fields. Studio guests include 19-year-old schizophrenia patient Sam Harris, mother Mary-Ellen of a son with schizophrenia, and Dr. Raquel Gur from the University of Pennsylvania (schizophrenia researcher). Also, a phone conversation with Dr. Otto Wall, professor of psychology and keynote speaker at a National Mental Health Symposium addressing mental health and stigma. At a white house conference on mental health, stigma and discrimination were both identified as the most important barriers today to mental illness treatment.

Schizo-Affective Disorder (This file is no longer on the internet - but you can contact the providers for tapes and transcript ordering info. Click here to link).
File Type: Real Media. Download player here
File Source: The Infinite Mind
File Date: March 24, 2004

Hundreds of thousands of Americans have schizoaffective disorder, an overlap of schizophrenia and manic depression. The illness can cause them to have both mood swings and cognitive symptoms including mania, depression and visual or aural hallucinations, and can be at grave risk of suicide.

This program explores schizoaffective disorder, what it's like to have the illness, how people have persevered in spite of it, and why it leaves so many doctors confused. Dr. Fred Goodwin's guests include Dr. Nassir Ghaemi, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Eden Evins, of the Massachusetts General Hospital Schizophrenia Program, and Dr. Corinne Cather, a cognitive behavioral therapist and clinical fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disease - Dispelling the Myths
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File Source: AARP radio
File Date: July 8, 2003

Though they are two distinctly different diseases, schizophrenia and bipolar disease are often confused for one another. And although major advances in medicine have made both disease very treatable, myths to the contrary persist. To discuss the latest in diagnosing and treating schizophrenia and bipolar disease, host Mike Cuthbert talks with Dr. Ralph Aquila, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia Collefe of Physicians and Surgeons and Director of Residential Community Services at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York.

Treating Schizophrenia - What Are the Options?
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File Source: ABC news
File Date: Sept 11, 2000

Note: When you click on the video link above, a new window will open up on your web browser. To play the video, click on the button that says "watch video."

Before there was treatment, the diagnosis of schizophrenia was like a life sentence with no parole. Today there are treatment options and rehabilitation for people with schizophrenia, as well as support for patients and their families. How successful are these strategies in getting schizophrenics back on track? Joining us to discuss this top we have three guests. Nathaniel Lachenmeyer is the author of "The Outsider: A Journey of My Father's Struggle with Madness." Also on the expert panel is Dr. Joseph Battaglia of the Bronx Psychiatric Center in New York, and Dr. Anthony Salerno of the Rockland Psychiatric Center, New York. Discussion includes topics of medication, rehabilitation for both patients and families, community involvement, and the consequences of no treatment (i.e, homelessness and schizophrenia).

Schizophrenia: Treatment, Access, Hope for the Future?
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File Source: Voices in the Family public radio
File Date: May 5, 2002

A follow-up to the interview segment with John Nash (originally aired 4/29/02), Dr. Dan Gottlieb invites leading experts in the field to discuss the current research and treatment options for schizophrenia. The show also covers the impact of schizophrenia on the family. Guests include Dr. Sam Keith of the University of New Mexico, and Dr. Bernard Arons, director of the Center for Mental Health Services.

Treatment of Schizophrenia Play audio - click here
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File Source: U. of Newcastle radio program("Wellbeing")
File Date: May 18, 2004

Prof. Vaughan Carr, Head of the Psychiatry Department at the University of Newcastle in Australia discusses causes and treatments of schizophrenia.

Treatment of First Episode Schizophrenia
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File Source: UCLA grand rounds
File Date: Sept 17, 2002
Speaker: Rona Hu, M.D., Assistant Professor , Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science; Medical Director, Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit, Stanford University School of Medicine.

Some of the questions that commonly come up in the initial onset of schizophrenia include: the reliability of whatever diagnosis is given, the choice and efficacy of the first treatments, and the best way to educate the patient and their family. Dr. Hu discusses the diagnostic challenges, the clinical characteristics, the early intervention, the treatment issues (pharmacological and psychosocial) and a comparison of atypical antipsychotics for first-episode schizophrenia cases.

Can Neuroimaging Be Used to Improve the Diagnosis of Schizophrenia?
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File Source: University of Chicago grand rounds
File Date: Oct 20, 2003
Speakers: John G. Csernansky, MD; Gregory B. Couch, Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Professor of Neurobiology, Washington University.

Note: when you click on the video link above, a new browser window will open. Start the video by clicking on the picture of the presenter. If you can't see the picture, you need to download a quicktime video player.

The objectives of the presentation are: (1) to review recent current findings of neuroanatomical abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia, and; (2) to present new findings in brain structure abnormalities in schizophrenia patients, obtained using computer algorithms for anatomical analysis.

Special Problems in the Treatment of Schizophrenia
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File Type: HSC media. Uses windows media player
File Source: University of New Mexico grand rounds
File Date: Jan 9, 2004
Speaker: Marvin S. Swartz, MD. Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Chapel Hill, NC

Dr. Schwartz discusses what he believes are special problems in the long-term treatment of schizophrenia patients: treatment nonadherance, substance abuse (which leads to the subset problems of homelessness, incarceration, suicide, etc), violent behavior, and fluctuating capacity.

Treatment of Psychosis: When Outcomes are Suboptimal
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File Source: UCLA grand rounds
File Date: Dec 3, 2002
Speaker: James Jefferson, M.D., Distinguished Senior Scientist, Madison Institute of Medicine, Inc.

For some schizophrenia patients, a 25-30% symptom improvement from antipsychotic medication might be defined as an "optimal response." Dr. Jefferson attempts to redefine "optimal response," and talksabout the different approaches one can take to a treatment-resistant patient. Some of the researched options include combining medications, augmenting antipsychotics with other types of drugs, or supplementing with alternative treatments such as omega-3 acids.

Clinical Management of Psychosis: The Short- and the Long-term
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File Type: Real Media. Download player here
File Source: UCLA grand rounds
File Date: April 9, 2002
Speaker: Ira Glick, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Director, Schizophrenia Clinic, Stanford University School of Medicine.

Presentation addresses two issues in the management of short- and long-term psychosis: efficacy of treatment, and side effects. Dr. Glick begins by "setting the stage" with the prognosis of schizophrenia disorders, and then discusses management for the best possible outcome.

Schizophrenia: early diagnosis, treatment, and support systems
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File Source: University of Arkansas radio (Here's to your Health)
File Date: Feb 11-15, 2002

Note: When you click on the audio link above, a new window will open up on your web browser. To listen to the audio files, click on the appropriate schizophrenia segment link.

Jeff Clothier, M.D., an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine, will discuss misconceptions about the condition, advances in research on the causes of schizophrenia, and modern treatments that are helping patients and removing the stigma of schizophrenia.

Update on the Long-term Treatment of Schizophrenia
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File Type: Real Media. Download player here
File Source: UCLA grand rounds
File Date: March 26, 2002
Speaker: Stephen R. Marder, M.D., Professor, Vice-Chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, VA Medical Center.

Dr. Marder talks about the challenges of managing schizophrenia in the long-term sense - the efficacies and limitations of current treatments, their adverse effects, and some new improved treatment options (pharmacological and psychosocial).

Treatment and Rehabilitation of the Client with Psychosis: Latest Developments
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File Source: Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (Mirecc)
File Date: April 11-12, 2003 Conference

The lecture series includes updates on the use of pharmacologic treatments, and state-of-the-art approaches to managing the treatment of individuals with psychosis. The role of consumers and family members in rehabilitation will also be discussed. This conference is geared towards clinicians; however, some presentations that may be of particular interest to health care consumers are noted below, with the appropriate media file links.

1) Improving Long-Term Outcomes of Schizophrenia (Dr. Stephen Marder). Play Video.
2) Cognitive Rehabilitation (Dr. Alan Bellack) Play Video.
3) Involving the Family (Dr. Lisa Dixon). Play Video.

Treating Patients with Psychosis: Improving Functional Outcomes
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File Source: Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (Mirecc)
File Date: April 12-13, 2002 Conference

This conference includes several interesting and informative video lectures; it reviews barriers to function in patients with serious mental illness in addition to describing innovative psycho-social interventions. The conference is geared towards clinicians; however, some presentations that may be of particular interest to health care consumers are noted below, with the appropriate media file links.

1. Second Generation Anti-Psychotic Medications (Speaker: Dr. Stephen Marder).
Play video.
2. Overcoming Obstacles to Treatment of Dual Diagnosis (Dr. Andrew Shaner).
Play video.
3. Assertive Community Treatment (Speaker: Dr. Mary Ann Test). Play video.
4. Involving Families in the Recovery Process (Speaker: Dr. Shirley Glynn). Play video.
5. Improving Vocational Outcomes for People with Severe Mental Illness (Speaker: Deborah Becker, MED). Play video.
6. Neurological Basis of Cognitive Deficits in Schizophrenia (Speaker: Dr. David Braff). Play video.
7. Cognition, Rehabilitation, and Outcome in Schizophrenia (Speaker: Dr. Michael Green). Play video.

Advances in the Treatment of Schizophrenia
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File Type: Quicktime video. Download player here.
File Source: Wayne State University grand rounds
File Date: Nov 12, 2002
Speaker: Delwyn D. Miller, Pharm.D., M.D. Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Psychiatry Research.

Note: When you click on the video link above, a new window will open up on your web browser. To play the video, click on the link that says "begin."

An extremely comprehensive video and slide presentation on the various treatments of schizophrenia. A large portion of the time is devoted to 2nd generation antipsychotic medications - their efficacy in treating acute symptoms and preventing relapse, how they compare with older drugs, the incidence of certain side effects (particularly diabetes risk and tardive dyskinesia), and a guide to dosages. He also discusses the issue of medication adherence, the role of psychosocial and cognitive behavioral therapy treatments, and experimental treatments such as rTMS.