The encyclopedia of schizophrenia and the psychotic disorders

Abstract

The Facts On File Library of Health and Living series is comprised of clear, comprehensive, and up-to-date resources for understanding and coping with the complexities of modern health and social concerns. Written for general readers and professionals alike, each volume contains: -- An extensive A-to-Z reference section that defines the causes, cures, key research, medical terms, symptoms, treatments, and trends of each field of study -- Detailed appendixes that provide current statistical information -- Extensive bibliographies that serve as starting points for further research -- Comprehensive directories that list organizations, associations, schools, support groups, and publications readers can turn to for further information. Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disease. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, approximately one percent of the population develops schizophrenia during their lifetime. More than two million Americans suffer from the illness in a given year. Current research is unraveling the complex causes of this disease and leading to new and safer medications for its treatment. The Encyclopedia of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders, Second Edition combines, in one volume, all the latest theories and research findings with a complete overview of the field's history. With more than 600 entries, it covers clinical and diagnostic terms, major theorists and researchers, archaic terms and treatments, prevalence rates for schizophrenia around the world, and more. The second edition features new and expanded entries on active phase of schizophrenias; atypical antipsychotics; brain tumors and psychosis; childhood-onset schizophrenia; environmental causes of schizophrenia; genetic anticipation, HIV and schizophrenia; medications, including Olanzapine, Quetiapine, and Risperidone; persons working in the field, including August Hoch and Emil Kraepelin; postpsychotic depression; schizoaffective psychoses; and seasonality of births in the psychotic disorders.