Schizophrenia

Learn about a pioneering alternative to antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia! In Schizophrenia: Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment, Dr. Colin A. Ross--founder of the Colin A. Ross Institute for Psychological Trauma--presents a new theory of the existence of a dissociative subtype of schizophrenia. Dr. Ross determines that some patients diagnosed with schizophrenia have symptoms closely related to dissociative identity disorder--or multiple personality...
More Description

Learn about a pioneering alternative to antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia!

In Schizophrenia: Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment, Dr. Colin A. Ross--founder of the Colin A. Ross Institute for Psychological Trauma--presents a new theory of the existence of a dissociative subtype of schizophrenia. Dr. Ross determines that some patients diagnosed with schizophrenia have symptoms closely related to dissociative identity disorder--or multiple personality disorder--and have a history of psychological trauma. In these cases, this unprecedented book proposes that the disorder is treatable--perhaps even curable--using psychotherapy rather than drugs.

Schizophrenia: Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment will revolutionize the profession of psychology with data, arguments, and a review of previously published literature to support Dr. Ross's theory. Traditionally, schizophrenia is considered manageable only by a lifetime of psychotropic drugs--expensive, harmful, and often ineffectual. This book offers an alternative free of damaging chemicals to improve quality of life for patients with schizophrenia whose symptoms may be trauma-based.

Schizophrenia: Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment offers specific, detailed ideas and research on:

• genetic studies showing that while there is a genetic connection, it is not prevalent enough for biology to be the only predisposing factor in all cases of schizophrenia
• a comparison of the definitions of psychosis, schizophrenia, and dissociation--from the DSM-IV-TR and other texts--to determine relationships between the three disorders
• proposed diagnostic criteria for dissociative schizophrenia--dissociative amnesia, depersonalization, the presence of two or more distinct personalities/identities, auditory hallucinations, extensive comorbidity, and severe childhood trauma
• the principles of psychotherapy for dissociative schizophrenia--when to start therapy, trauma therapy, how to establish communication with the patient, and therapeutic neutrality
• and more!

With an extensive bibliography of literatures on trauma, dissociation, and psychosis, as well as numerous tables and case studies, this volume presents a strong case for a fresh methodology in the treatment of this psychological abnormality. The theory provided by Dr. Ross brings hope for recovery to individuals with dissociative schizophrenia. This one-of-a-kind book is a must-read for psychiatrists, psychologists, and other professionals involved in research and/or treatment of schizophrenia. Its comprehensible text makes it useful for patients with schizophrenia and their family members as well.