A comprehensive guide for anyone interested in this topic. Suitable for family and friends of those newly diagnosed and for health care providers as well
This is the table of contents
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE – THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE CARE AND TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA
The Mentally Ill in Jail
The Mentally Ill on the Streets
Report Card on Mental Health
Treatment Outcomes
CHAPTER TWO – INDIVIDUAL EXAMPLES
Some Successes
The Slower Road To Recovery
One Example of a Preventable Tragedy
CHAPTER THREE - A LEGACY OF IGNORANCE – PHILOSPOHY FREUD AND NEUROBIOLOGY
Introduction
Schizophrenia Defined
Physiological Deficits in Schizophrenia
Studies on Non Treated Schizophrenics
A. Structural Abnormalities
B. Neurological Abnormalities
C. Neuropsychological Abnormalities
D. Electrophysiological Abnormalities
E. Cerebral Metabolic Abnormalities
CHAPTER FOUR - THEORIES OF CAUSATION/TREATMENT
Genetics
Infectious Agents
Toxoplasma Gondii
Other Viruses
Marijuana
Neurotransmitters – Cause or Chance Treatment Focus
The Angel Dust/PCP Theory
Other Neurotransmitters
And Now some Controversy
CHAPTER FIVE – BEYOND CHLORPROMAZINE
Deinstitutionalization
Anosognosia
Involuntary Treatment
Harvard Law School or Bellevue Psychiatric - Which is harder to Get Into?
Involuntary Treatment Other Examples
CHAPTER SIX – TREATMENT STRATEGIES
Consensus Guidelines
First Episode Early Intervention
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
Mandated Outpatient Treatments (MOT)
Psychiatrists in Blue
A More Ideal System?
CHAPTER SEVEN – STIGMA
Introduction
In the Media
In the Military
A British Example
In the Medical Profession
CHAPTER EIGHT – THE NAYSAYERS
Scientology
The Consumer Survivor Movement
Alternative Medicine
CHAPTER NINE – CREATIVITY, MENTAL ILLNESS AND FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA
AFTERWARD
REFERENCES
ALPHABETIC INDEX
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT DAVID DAWSON
Excerpt
INTRODUCTION
Schizophrenia is an enigma. Far too often it completely destroys the lives of those it attacks along with the lives of their loved ones. It can also destroy lives of innocent bystanders and police. But, even though it’s cause is not really understood and it’s treatments are less than perfect, victims of this disease can be helped and they can lead better lives than many presently do.
Because the cause is not known or understood very well, it is a medical mystery. However, it is a disease that is very stigmatized. Many of its sufferers are condemned to living on the streets or in jail. It is also a disease about which so much misinformation is dispensed. Why else would so many people (and particularly those in the media and the entertainment world) feel that it is acceptable to belittle the sufferers of this disease and make fun of them or, worse, to portray them inaccurately and to demean them? That is society’s shame.
It is bad enough to suffer from a debilitating chronic disease or to have a loved one who does but it is even worse to have to hide the existence of that problem from friends, family and strangers because of societal ignorance and stigma. And many do hide. Since gays have been able to leave the closet that they were forced to hide in for so many years due to ignorance and insensitivity, it has left more room in the closet for those with serious mental illness.
But, the point is that people with serious mental illnesses should not be treated like lepers and be forced to hide in the closet. It goes without saying that those with leprosy should never have been treated the way they were and we should not now treat those with schizophrenia in the same cruel and uncaring manner.
In her book, “Brave New Brain”, noted psychiatrist Nancy Andreason says “losing a child by suicide may be the most painful experience a person can have. But observing how schizophrenia invades the personality and mental skills of an adolescent or young adult also causes nearly unbearable pain to both the young person and his family”. And 10% of people with schizophrenia do commit suicide.
These victims of a biological illness should be able to hold their heads up and not be ashamed that they are ill. It is not their fault nor is it the fault of their families that they have a disorder of the brain. Their families, in fact, should be able to get support and sympathy from others for the pain that they suffer. Additionally, society should be protected from people who are capable of being a threat when not properly treated by ensuring that those in need of treatment do in fact get the treatment that they deserve and that will help them.
The purpose of this book is twofold. First, it is hoped that a candid discussion of the disease, the suffering that is inflicted on those with the disease by a mostly uncaring society and an explanation of what schizophrenia is and how the treatment of its victims can be improved will advance our appreciation of the problem. Second, it is intended that this book will provide information and comfort to the families of the victims and hopefully empower them in their struggle. It can also be used for families to give to friends and other family members in order to help them understand and to help to dispel the myths about serious mental illness they might have.
The last chapter provides information on well known people who have had or who have thought to have had schizophrenia. For some people, it provides comfort to know that many noted people or relatives of very noted people have suffered with schizophrenia. It certainly did for me and I hope that chapter and the rest of this book provide you with valuable information and help.
And now for a note on the terminology used in the book. Some people with schizophrenia and others with serious mental illnesses (and more so their politically correct advocates) do not like the reference to “schizophrenics”. They feel that this marginalizes those people. They believe that calling someone a schizophrenic or a diabetic gives the impression that that person is only someone suffering from a disease and that they are not complete humans. Rather they are reduced to being a disease only.
In the mental health arena, the term that is preferred is consumer survivor and/or people with schizophrenia. Personally, I do not like these terms. Anyone who has been involved in the health system is a consumer of health care. If it did not kill you, then you are also a survivor. Consumer survivor is a term for those who feel that people with mental illnesses have either been improperly incarcerated in a totalitarian psychiatric system or diagnosed with a mental illness that might not exist. It differs from cancer survivor and is used like the phrase Holocaust survivor is used. The term implies that the individual has been unjustly imprisoned and possibly even tortured. It is a political concept that has dire consequences for getting people help and will be looked at in much greater length later in the book.
Calling someone a schizophrenic or a diabetic, on the other hand, does not necessarily demean them. It is an awkward style to continually use the phrase “people with schizophrenia” rather than simply saying “schizophrenics”. While I vary the use of these two phrases for stylistic purposes, I do not do so to belittle.
The section of the book dealing with brain imaging is also a bit complex to say the least. Much of it may not be all that clear. The point is not to become an expert in the pathology of the brain but rather to get a feel for the fact that there are major changes that take place in the brains of people with schizophrenia that can be measured. It may be just in their heads but their heads are not normal.
Finally, a few people were kind enough to read the manuscript for errors and they did find some. However, any errors that still remain are the responsibility of the author.
Professional Reviews
Amazon Review
5.0 out of 5 stars Offering practical help, hope and a measure of relief, Jan 1 2009
By Robert Fripp "writes thoughtful books about d... (Toronto, ON) - See all my reviews
Schizophrenia continues to be responsible for a great deal of misery, suffering, crime, destitution and deprivation. Author Marvin Ross has performed a significant service by writing "Schizophrenia - Medicine's Mystery, Society's Shame." Ross dedicates his book "To all who struggle daily with the voices and other symptoms of schizophrenia, and to their families who suffer watching their loved ones valiantly struggling to cope." That says it, and Ross lives up to his dedication.
His book keeps everything succinct and blunt. This is an honest appraisal of an ugly subject, one that mainstream society would prefer to keep behind locked, sound-proofed doors.
This hard-edged blueprint takes a logical approach, giving a much-needed critique of historical myth as well as all too recent quasi-scientific blunderings that may have caused decades of delay in the search for rational treatment for this far-from-rational and thoroughly misunderstood disease. Too much received opinion on this subject has been wrong, and Ross correctly dedicates considerable space to expunging error.
Then come the essentials, lucid and well explained. Here is "Schizophrenia Defined," and a section reporting the conclusions of studies into five distinct categories of "Abnormalities." Sections dealing with "Theories of Causation/Treatment" and "Treatment Strategies" must surely be welcome to people who must cope with schizophrenia every day.
If I have a quibble with this book it is that I wanted to rearrange the Table of Contents to place some of the commentary on the lack of progress further down. However, Ross, a medical writer, is making a passionate appeal, and his delay in presenting sections on positive progress is understandable: real progress depends on exposing false doctrines from the past. Anyway, his Table of Contents is precise, so readers can easily find their way around, and his Index surely exceeds the most demanding expectations. One hopes that "Schizophrenia - Medicine's Mystery, Society's Shame" will reward readers with practical help, hope and a measure of relief.
Robert Fripp,
Author, "Let There Be Life"
(Sixty essays on our cosmic and organic origins)
SZ Digest Magazine
This book by Marvin Ross is a powerful resource for anyone looking for answers and insight into the world of mental illness. But it is not something that you pick up and read for pleasure before going to bed.
Ross examines the history of institutions and how people suffering from mental illness have been treated, where we are today with our laws and why, and the search for proper treatment for those who have the disease. Many studies, both past and present, along with statistics and probable causes for the disease are also documented. There is also a chapter on various medications, treatments and what has worked, what has not and why. This book provides the reader with the answers to many questions - including the "whys" about the disease.
More importantly, the author has shown, through studies and statistics, how society is in need of advocates to eliminate the stigma that surrounds mental illness.
A source of comfort is found at the end of the book where there is a list of famous people who have suffered from mental illness and their accomplishments. For anyone who seeks answers, insight, resource material, or just wants to know more about schizophrenia, this is a great book. It has inspired me to be more public about my experiences and to continue to do all that I can to help change laws, regulations, and to eliminate the stigma that goes along with mental illness. -- Schizophrenia Digest, Fall, 2008
Schizophrenia: Medicine's Mystery - Society's Shame by Marvin Ross offers a frank discussion of the "legacy of ignorance" surrounding the disease and how society continues to stigmatize those affected by it. The book also provides a detailed description of schizophrenia itself, including treatment strategies and theories of causation making it a helpful and empowering guide." --Abilities Magazine Issue 77, Winter 2008/09
