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Schizophrenia Information > An Intro to Schizophrenia (including Paranoid Schizophrenia)

An Introduction to Schizophrenia

Overview and Introduction - Schizophrenia and Paranoid Schizophrenia

There is a lot of information here - so please be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom.

Introductory Tips for Family Members of People with Schizophrenia

Types of Schizophrenia and Related Illnesses
Paranoid schizophrenia is the most common form of schizophrenia - and is especially common in younger males.

Differences in How Schizophrenia Impacts Men and Women

There are many ways in which schizophrenia affects men and women differently. For example, some of the well known facts are that schizophrenia tends to begin in men/boys at an earlier age than women/girls; men who have schizophrenia generally begin showing signs of the illness between ages 15 and 20, compared to ages 20 to 25 for women. Additionally, men overall are less responsive to medication and schizophrenia also tends to have a larger impact on men than on women - the long term outcome tends to be worse for men than women. Researchers have hypothesized that estrogen may play a protective role in women against schizophrenia.

Recent research also tends to suggest that schizophrenia is more prevalent in men than women - with women developing schizophrenia at a rate of approximately 50% to 75% that of men, overall. Women, however, have a rate of developing schizophrenia almost twice that of men for people over the age of 45 years. Again, a protective effect of estrogen may be involved here, researchers suggest. Following are some stories and resources on the differences of schizophrenia's impact in men and women. As this is a relatively new area of research, we'll be adding more information here in the future.

Why Schizophrenia Impacts Men harder than Women?

Book: (Scientific Book): Women and Schizophrenia , Edited by David J. Castle, John McGrath and Jayashri Kukarni, 151 pages ; Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1st edition (September 15, 2000) , ISBN: 0521786177

Recommended Books on Schizophrenia - for people new to the disease

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, has worked in many hospitals with people who have schizophrenia and Dr. Torrey 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" is also an extremely good book that has been written with the direct input from a lot of people who have schizophrenia who discuss their personal experiences. It is valuable for all family members to read, as well as for the person who has schizophrenia. "I'm Not Sick..." is another 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. Lastly, "Schizophrenia Revealed" has also gotten many good reviews.

Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Consumers, and Providers (4th Edition) by E. Fuller Torrey (Author), Publisher: Quill; 4th edition (May 8, 2001) ISBN: 0060959193

Diagnosis: Schizophrenia by Rachel Miller (Editor), Susan Elizabeth Mason (Editor), Publisher: Columbia University Press; (October 15, 2002) ISBN: 0231126255

I am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! - Helping the Seriously Mentally Ill Accept Treatment by Xavier Amador, Anna-Lica Johanson (Contributor), Publisher: Vida Press; (June 2000) ISBN: 0967718902 - 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. The book is written for families and therapists. This book is also available in Spanish (see directly below)

No Estoy Enfermo! No Necesito Ayuda! by Dr. Xavier Amador, with Anna-Lisa Johanson

Recommended Books on 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).

Surviving Mental Illness: Stress, Coping, and Adaptation by Agnes B. Hatfield, Harriet P. Lefley, John S. Strauss, Publisher: Guilford Press; (May 21, 1993) ISBN: 0898620228

Other very good books in this area:

How to Live With a Mentally Ill Person: A Handbook of Day-To-Day Strategies by Christine Adamec, D. J. Jaffe, Publisher: John Wiley & Sons; (April 1996) ASIN: 0471114197

When Someone You Love Has a Mental Illness: A Handbook for Family, Friends, and Caregivers, by Rebecca Woolis, Agnes Hatfied, Publisher: J. P. Tarcher; (September 1992) ISBN: 0874776953

Overcoming Depression, 3rd edition by Demitri Papolos, Publisher: Quill; 3rd edition (February 1997), ISBN: 0060927828

For more reading materials - we recommend you review our entire list of recommended books and videos.

Additional Important Educational Information on Schizophrenia

The Risks of Getting Schizophrenia

How the Experts recommend that Schizophrenia is Treated

Popular Press News Stories on Schizophrenia

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